LOST (CHERYL BLOSSOM X OC)

002. freshman year

     JASON BLOSSOM has not only made the varsity football team his freshman year, but was named captain at the pep rally, where Cheryl led the River Vixens in a perfect routine. Elliot finally learned most of his classmates names. The ginger boy who sits in front of him in biology is named Archie, and he is not dating Betty, the blond girl whose lab partner is named Chuck, the other captain of the football team. His father is the head coach of the team. The kid who sits behind him actually is a Boy Scout, his name is Dilton Doiley. He sits next to Jughead Jones, who is best friends with Archie. Jason is going to the semi-formal with Jason's sister, Polly. Elliot asked his lab partner, Valerie. Cheryl is going with Chuck. Elliot doesn't really know how he feels about Cheryl with Chuck, he's heard some pretty bad things about the kid. But, hey, rumors are rumors and if Cheryl can live with Penelope and Clifford Blossom, she can certainly handle Chuck Clayton at a high school semi-formal.

     Betty did a great job with the decorations, especially considering her budget. Elliot is becoming better friends with some of the other kids. He helped Betty decorate, and gave Archie a few rides home, and even took it upon himself to invite Kevin, Archie, Betty, and Jughead over for lunch. Cheryl had something to say about that last bit the next day.

     "Why was I not invited to the pauper's brunch?"

     "If that's what it was called, I would've invited you."

     Elliot was even so close with the gang that they invited him to take pictures with him before the dance. The only time Valerie left his side was when she had to go perform her new songs with the Pussycats, and he wouldn't have had it any other way. They danced almost the whole time, and not just him and Valerie, he danced with the whole group of them. Even Jason and Polly were hanging out with them. Elliot kept his eye out for Cheryl and Chuck to make sure everything was alright, and he saw them a few times with a different group of people. A couple of guys on the football team, and some other girls. He decided it was best to skip the afterparty at the Blossom's, and head to Pop's with his friends. He heard all about the party on Monday at school anyway. He heard some rumors about Cheryl and Chuck, but again, rumors are rumors. And plus, it's not really any of his business what Cheryl does in her free time.

     After a few more milkshakes with Valerie, rumors started to swirl about the pair, and these rumors were true. Elliot really started to like spending time with her. He even brought her to Wolf Manor to have dinner with his parents, and they liked her a lot more than Elliot thought he would. He's seen less of Cheryl lately, but she was probably spending most of her time with the Vixens getting ready for the Variety Show. He hasn't seen as much of Valerie lately, either. Josie was really trying to practice as much as possible, even though Elliot would always think they were the best performers there, and not just because was dating the brains behind the band.

     Elliot got front row tickets for the show. Chuck Clayton and those football buddies he was with at the formal were sitting a few seats over, presumably to watch the River Vixens. Cheryl confidently strutted onto the stage with the Vixens, and the football players whooped. The routine was very well done, except for the fact that one of the girls in the group fell off the pyramid. When it was over, while everyone was cheering, Elliot saw Cheryl look towards Chuck and wink. His friends cheered louder and clapped him on the back. Elliot felt something, not quite anger, but he wanted to tell Chuck to stop cheering, sit down, and leave Cheryl alone. Was this a pang of jealously he felt? No, no, it must just be him being protective. The Pussycats were spectacular as usual, but Elliot's mind wasn't really on the performance. He kept thinking about why he felt the way he did after Cheryl winked at her boyfriend. After the performance, he gave Valerie flowers and congratulated Josie and Melody on a job well done. He took Valerie out to Pop's afterwards, as promised. They drank their milkshakes and talked, and everything seemed normal, but just felt different. But Valerie, didn't seem to notice anything wrong, so Elliot just chalked it up to overthinking. But when a few days later, he couldn't stop thinking about it, he decided he couldn't deal with it on his own.