𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚

Chapter 05.

Cheryl paced the floor anxiously waiting for the arrival of Veronica, the brunette had told her she'd be over by eight and it was 19:57pm now. Cheryl knew the Josie, Melody and Harmony wouldn't be there until at least ten, half nine the earliest. Cheryl knew it was a silly thing to worry about but she was self-conscious about her home, it was huge compared to Veronica's home, the Blossom home was usually something she'd been proud about, it conveyed her powerful family, showing her importance but Cheryl didn't want that tonight. She didn't want Veronica to need to know how important her family was, or how much money they had, she didn't want Veronica feeling intimidated or as though Cheryl was only being her friend because she felt sorry about what happened to her and her family. That was far from why Cheryl liked the brunette. She simply saw someone in Veronica that she couldn't take her off, she was curious and curiosity was good.

Cheryl startled when she heard the doorbell ring out throughout the house, Cheryl glanced over at her sleeping grandmother, just checking she was alright before rushing down the long staircase, stopping to check herself in the full-length mirror before she opened the door, lifting her hair to rest on her shoulders, it was a shining red tonight, long as usual and silky as it could get. Her hair was one of the things she treasured most about herself, she loved the luscious ginger that shone from it, she knew everyone admired it, if they didn't then she was sure they were blind to how beautiful it actually was, she knew her mother envied it. Cheryl took in a breath and heaved her heavy front door open with ease, a pearly smile on her face when she was greeted by Veronica wearing the same smile and in her thick winter coat, the weather had been getting cold early in Riverdale this year but it looked like Veronica was prepared for it, she looked perfect.

"You made it, right on time!" Cheryl exclaimed, stepping aside to gesture the girl in. Veronica held a delicate, cutesy looking box between her hands, walking in with a chatter of teeth. "You're freezing, I'll go and put the kettle on and we can have a hot chocolate."

Veronica nodded shortly, eyes scanning the place, in awe of the way it was designed she loved the oak that made up most of the house, the ancient decorations that she gathered must've gone through generations of Blossoms dotted around the place. Most of all she loved the stair case, it went up at least fourteen steps then split either side, it made the place look elegant. Veronica was aware of the missing girls that hadn't came to greet her either as she followed Cheryl to the kitchen, keeping her coat wrapped around her shoulders for now.

"Aren't the others coming?" Veronica asked, stepping into another large room which happened to be the kitchen, she left Cheryl to fetch the mugs and headed to the counter sliding the box of cupcakes onto it so that she could finally warm up her hands. Cheryl noted the slight tone of happiness in Veronica's question but she answered anyway, figuring it was just her mind toying with her.

"They usually don't arrive for another hour or two, they're always busy rehearsing and choosing the right outfits to wear. Or they're on a visit somewhere. But they usually show up around about then." Cheryl explained, glancing over her shoulder for a second as she felt Veronica approaching, the brunette coming by her side as she poured the boiling water into the mugs.

"I don't know if I could handle such a busy life, it's a wonder they can even attend school at the same time." Veronica said in amazement, she'd only heard the girls music once or twice, they weren't all that popular in New York yet so they weren't playing on the radio all the time over there; but here they were royalty. "Though I suppose they're used to it by now."

Cheryl let out a laugh in agreement, "I'm surprised they even spend time with me if I'm honest, especially when they're famous around these parts."

Veronica raised her eyebrows at Cheryl, she was one of the most popular girls in town, including Betty, everyone knew her, everyone knew her family and they all knew her importance. Yet Veronica knew a lot of people spoke about Cheryl behind her back and she'd already spoken up several times for the redhead when she'd heard people slagging Cheryl off.

"Well I think whoever wouldn't make time to spend time with you are idiots," Veronica smiled sweetly, giving the girl a soft nudge and a quick wink. Veronica had never seen someone's cheek redden so fast, she let out a soft giggle. "You're blushing like crazy, Cheryl, all because of a wink!"

Cheryl felt her eyes widen and cheeks heat up even more at the brunettes words, she ducked her head in less than a second, focusing on making the hot chocolates so she didn't show her burning cheeks anymore but she could still hear Veronica's chuckle beside her, the petite girl throwing her arm around Cheryl's shoulders.

"Relax, Red, I'm just joking with you. My reaction would be the same if you winked at me, I mean, look at you. I'm surprised you're not with someone."

Cheryl looked up at that, eyes dancing at the compliment Veronica had shot her way, she thought she was pretty, of course she'd gotten those compliments before but getting one from Veronica made her stomach do somersaults. Was she flirting with her?

"W-well I uh, I'm not really into dating anyone...I mean the people at our school they aren't really for me. I've just um, always been better on my own I guess...I don't need a guy to define me." Cheryl told her, stammering over her words, still in slight shock of Veronica's previous words. She'd never felt so nervous in her entire life, she was supposed to be one of the most confident girls in the school yet right now her confidence to talk to Veronica without spilling that she had a crush on her was wavering. It made it even harder with Veronica's piercing brown eyes focused on hers, reading her soul to keep her heart from leaping from her chest.

Veronica's smiled changed to a warm one, something flashing across her eyes as she listened to Cheryl's words, "You're right, you don't need a man to define you. You're Cheryl freaking Blossom."

Cheryl grinned down at Veronica letting out a laugh before taking a risk and curving her arm around Veronica's waist with a mischievous grin, the brunette found herself blushing this time. Cheryl smirked liking that she could make Veronica blush. "And you're Veronica badass Lodge."