A Blossom And A Snake.

The Week From Hell.

It was a rather normal week from what Cheryl told me for the rest of the week. But homecoming week turned out to be the week from hell.
I woke up and listened to Penelope rant about how she was still not happy about me getting so close to Cheryl. After I finished tying my shoes I reminded her that it was Cheryl's life not hers and that it was Cheryl's choice as well. After breakfast, Cheryl and I went to the garage and went to school.
Mr. Weatherby didn't give me any trouble which gave me a sense of foreboding and suspicion. Like something was coming over the horizon that I would not like.
And I wasn't far off from the truth. Because after biology and before lunch. I told Cheryl I was going to use the restroom and would meet her at the table under the tree. Only I didn't make it to the restroom and was jumped by Chuck and his five compadres.
I was able to fend off a couple of them but still I fell like a deck of cards.
Chuck laughed as he said, "Well looks like I'm the one who will be taking care of Cheryl from now on."
I looked up at him in anger and pain. He left with his five friends and I layed on the floor aching and hunching in pain as bruises started to show.
I was found by Veronica and Kevin.
"Oh my god. Daniel. Who did this?" Veronica asked as she and Kevin helped me to my feet.
"Chuck and his band of wannabe hoods." They led me to a bench in the hall.
"Where's Cheryl?" Kevin asked.
"Waiting for me at the table under the tree."
"I'll go get her." Kevin left to do that as Veronica stayed with me as I held my ribs. "Chuck is not going to like what's coming. That I can guarantee aah." I seethed. Cheryl ran up and sat to my right.
"Daniel, what happened?"
"He got jumped by Chuck and his five cronies." Veronica said.
"Do you need a doctor?" Cheryl asked.
"No. I'll be fine. I can't guarantee Chuck's safety or his friends. One way or the other. He will soon understand the true definition of a scorched earth response."
"Come on, Dannykins. Let's get you up on your feet and head to our next class." Cheryl and Veronica helped me to my feet. Then me and Cheryl headed to her next class. For the remainder of the day I watched over Cheryl as my ribs mended.
At the end of the day.
Cheryl and I walked to the car and she drove us to Pops. She helped me inside and sat us down in our usual booth. Pops came up and took just one look at me and went to the kitchen to get an impromptu ice pack. While Cheryl checked on every bruised area. "Why are we here?"
"Aside from the fact we both need something to eat since you didn't get the chance to eat lunch. I thought we could relax and enjoy some time alone until we go home. Besides the last thing I want is my mother to find a reason to have you sent away. Or release you from the contract."
"I agree."
"Here you go Cheryl." Pops said. He handed Cheryl the ice pack and walked away to get our usual.
Cheryl placed the ice pack on my ribs. "I'm so happy that your okay."
"Yeah. The only person who isn't going to be is Chuck. That's for sure."
She smiled and kissed my cheek as I began to hold the ice pack against my own ribs. We ate and talked for a bit and after my bruises were healed to Cheryl's satisfaction we went home.
Once we got there I went straight to bed to rest and relax my ribs. Cheryl checked on me and even went as far as to lay next to me while I slept.
The next morning I woke up to the sight of Cheryl's beautiful face. I let her sleep a little more as I got up and got dressed for the day.
After I finished putting on my shoes and tying them. Which is hard to do quietly as my ribs still hurt.
Cheryl woke up and smiled at me. "Morning."
"Morning Cheryl."
"How do your ribs feel today?"
"Great, grand, wonderful." I said. She sat up and when I got close enough pulled me towards her.
"I know your lying but. I understand why. It's so I won't worry about you."
I smiled at her as I held her face in my hands. Then said, "Correct."

Once she changed for school we headed out.
And we talked about what we were going to wear for homecoming. I joked that I would be wearing my usual clothes of t-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes. She smiled and lightly slapped my arm. I smiled and laughed as we arrived at school.
Cheryl got out first and waited for me to get out. I barely even stood upright before Chuck came up and tried to force Cheryl to go with him to her first class. I immediately tackled him to the ground. Before I could drop a fist on him Cheryl stopped me. "Not here Dannykins." She slowly caressed my neck and I just stared at Chuck in absolute anger.
"Next time. I will beat the hell outta you." I slammed my fist into the pavement close to his head. Leaving a small crack in it. I stood up and followed Cheryl into the school. Cheryl and I went from class to class all day. And lunch was a joy as we sat next to Veronica, Betty, Kevin, Archie and Jughead.
"Hey guys." Veronica smiled. "How's the ribs?"
"Healing." Was all I said.
"So I was thinking of having someone run as my homecoming king this weekend."
"And who...?" Archie stalled as Veronica nudged him.
"Archiekins, she's talking about Daniel."
"That's right." Cheryl said.
"Don't I have to be a student?"
"No." Cheryl smiled.
"Do I have a choice?"
"No."
"Oh well. I tried." I giggled. Cheryl leaned into me as she gently nibbled on her apple slices.
Chuck passed by and I just stared at him with enough hatred to sink the Titanic again. Cheryl and the others noticed how mad I was getting. Cheryl stood in front of me and shushed me carefully and slowly. Which in turn calmed me down.
"There we go." Cheryl smiled as we headed to our next round of classes.
After school we headed to sweet water river. To do our usual end of the school week walk through the woods.
"I'm so happy that you'll be my date for homecoming and being my homecoming king."
"Surprised you asked." I smiled.
"So. Have you decided as to whether or not you have feelings for me?"
I looked at her and giggled. "Somehow I knew this was coming?"
"And? What's the decision?"
"Okay. This is my decision." I approached her and slid my hands to her hips. "Yes. I do have..." I looked over her head and saw Chuck and his friends. "Cheryl, get behind me."
She noticed my eyes weren't on her but looking behind her. She slid behind me as Chuck and his friends surrounded us. "Well, well. If it isn't the queen of chaos and her dutiful hound."
I counted three other people aside from Chuck. "So. Cheryl. I heard that you are going to run for homecoming queen and you chose your valet as your homecoming king. Well that's one thing I can't abide." His friends got closer to me and I took out two with quick punches and kicks. The third I held him in a sleeper hold until he passed out. Chuck looked at his unconscious friends and I stood among their bodies and looked to Cheryl who nodded. I picked up a thick piece of a long fallen tree branch and swung it around like a ball player prepping for his time at bat.
"You know Chuck, I was looking forward to getting revenge on you." I walked around him. "And you have officially made my night. Because last I checked. You attacked me in hopes of being Cheryl's guardian, which didn't go so well. So what does he do, Cheryl?"
"Tries to overpower you. By getting some of his friends to gang up on you." Cheryl said.
"Right. And how did that turn out, Chuck?"
"Not so good." He squeaked.
"That's right. Not. So. Good." I held the branch to his knees. "Normally I'd kneecap ya. But I'm going to be charitable." I slammed the branch into his stomach. Then punched him square in the nose. "Stay away from Cheryl and me and keep your mouth shut or you and I will take a ride. And I'll show you how brutal I can really be. And trust me when I say." I leaned in and whispered. 'They will be finding parts of you all over.' He looked at me with scared eyes. "Am I clear?" He nodded. "Good."
I tossed the branch into the river and watched it float down river a bit before leaving with Cheryl.
When we arrived at home her mother and grandma were already asleep. So we snuck into the house and went directly to her room. She smiled as I stood next to the door as she changed into her nightgown. "So. Daniel. What were you going to tell me in the woods?"
I approached her as she sat on the side of her bed. "I was going to say. That I do have feelings for you." She gripped my hands in hers. Then slipped underneath her blankets. And I tucked her in as usual. And I kissed her forehead. "I love you, Cheryl. Until the end."
She smiled and closed her eyes. When I tried going to my room. She grabbed my hand. "Please, stay." I looked at her and smiled.
"Okay." I crawled in next to her and held her tight against me. She slept soundly and in all honesty. I did as well.

The next morning I woke up to see Cheryl holding up a suit. "Good morning Dannykins."
"Morning, Cheryl." I smiled. "I'm guessing the suit used to be JJ's?"
"No. Believe it or not. I ordered this especially for you."
I got up and looked at the suit. "When and how did you get my measurements?"
"Three weeks ago and I have my ways." She giggled. I nodded as I smiled wider.
"Okay. Touché." She held the suit up to me. "Want me to try it on?"
She nodded.
"Okay." I walked behind a screen and changed from my slept in street clothes into the new suit. Then came out to see what Cheryl thought. "Well?"
"You look handsomely dashing." She approached me.
Before she could even kiss my cheek. Penelope came in to see if she was up yet. And found us together. "Cheryl. Please explain yourself and why he's here in your room?"
Cheryl looked to me and she did her best to stand up for me and her. When I saw it going south, I stepped in. "Penelope. Let me explain something to you like I have so many times to you." She noticed there was no light in my eyes like there was before she barged in on Cheryl and I's moment. "It's Cheryl's life. Not yours. If you have a problem. Then you and I will go somewhere to have a private discussion as to where your control ends and hers begins." I could tell that I was scaring her. And that was more than fine with me. She walked out before I had to finish. I then turned to Cheryl. "Too much?" She giggled and smiled. Then shook her head.

When we arrived at homecoming later that day...
Veronica, Archie, Betty, Jughead and Kevin were all gathered around the punch bowl as me and Cheryl arrived.
"Oh my god. Look at them." Betty said.
Everyone looked at me and Cheryl and couldn't believe how perfect we looked together.
They slowly approached us. "Hey guys." Cheryl smiled holding onto my arm.
"Cheryl, Daniel." Archie said in absolute shock.
"You two, look unequivocally perfect." Veronica smiled.
"Thank you." Me and Cheryl said in unison. We looked at each other and smiled. We talked with each other and the gang even danced a few slow numbers until Mr. Weatherby got on the mic and started announcing who the homecoming king and queen was.
"Quiet down people. Alright. It's time to announce this years homecoming royalty." Josie handed him an envelope. "Our homecoming king is, Daniel Boyce." A spotlight shined on me as I started making my way towards the stage. "And our queen is, Cheryl Blossom." The spotlight flashed to Cheryl. Who made her way to the stage.
When we arrived on stage and were given our crowns. I looked at her and she was so happy. As was I. We took one more bow and headed to the dance floor to do the traditional homecoming royalty slow dance.
We smiled at each other and leaned into each other. After homecoming we headed to Pops with the gang.
"Ladies and gentlemen I give you Riverdale Highs Homecoming King and Queen." Kevin said as we all arrived at Pops.
"Okay. Okay. That's enough Kevin." I giggled. We spent the next few hours talking and celebrating with them. After a while. Me and Cheryl decided to head home. So we did. After saying goodbye to the gang.
When we got home. Me and Cheryl went to my room, changed into our sleeping attire and slipped underneath the covers and held each other close and tight. She nestled into my arms as I wrapped my legs around hers. We slept peacefully for the rest of the night.