PICTURE SHOW ☼ C. BLOSSOM [DISCONTINUED]

❝ WANNA TEAM UP FOR A LITTLE DESTRUCTION? ❞

Chapter Two
" Wanna Team Up for a Little Destruction? "

Working at Pop's Diner was one thing. Having to do it in tiny, red, white trim Soffe shorts and on rollerskates was another. Pop was doing a test run of the skates and it was safe to say that it wasn't doing so hot. Employees were tripping, dropping things, and being unable to brake. Sydney, however, was doing okay because she just had to have a figure skating background. So she was weaving gracefully in, out, and between customers and her fellow employees.

     Her tray was above her shoulder as she made her way to the nearby table which held Archie, Jughead, Betty, and, of course, Veronica Lodge. "Okay, so...chocolate shake for Donnie Darko, strawberry for Barbie, birthday cake batter for the wannabe Ed Sheeran, and one vanilla for New York's finest." Sydney passed out the following orders and smiled before chuckling. "I'm kidding, guys. That's just my humor. Enjoy." As Sydney skated away, she heaved out a sigh and went behind the counter. "She just called me a wannabe Ed Sheeran," Archie said, knitting his eyebrows together in surprise.

     "In a way, she's not wrong." Veronica touched his hand as she took a sip of her shake, winking at him afterward. "At least she didn't call you New York's finest. Hello, I'm a person, not a Reuben sandwich."

     Sydney couldn't help feeling her heart chip into little pieces after hearing what Veronica said. "It was supposed to be a compliment," she mumbled to herself. "Still like her?" asked Pop. "Not anymore," Sydney said, a saltiness to her tone as she took her tray and rolled away into the back.

     "So, Jughead, are you planning on entering the Riverdale Picture Show?" asked Archie. "I don't know. It seems like fun. But I don't even know what I would want to film and the deadline already passed so there's no way I can get my foot in that door," answered Jughead before slurping his shake through his straw. "I'm sure you'll think of something, Juggy. The prize is an internship at Gold Brothers Studios!" Betty said reassuringly.

     "That's the thing. I may like movies but I find more of an interest in writing. Why do you think I joined the Blue and Gold instead of film club?"

     "But think about it. The prize is an internship at Gold Brothers Studios. It doesn't have to be in filmmaking. It can probably be in screenwriting, too. Not only will it help you with your writing, but you can probably try and sell some of your scripts while you're there."

     "Sounds great and all but I really don't want to try shaking a film festival application out of Principal Weatherbee. The man already hates me and I would rather not want to give him another reason to tack onto his list," Jughead said. "And besides, Sydney seems set on winning this year."

     "Oh, please. The entire town of Riverdale is entering and daddy's funding it so she's bound for some competition," Veronica said, spinning her straw wickedly. "One person from Riverdale High isn't going to screw her chances of winning."

     "I can't tell if you're speaking out of redundant hatred for her or if you're still mad about what she said to you," Archie said. "Did you hear what she said to me?" asked Veronica. "Says the one that came from New York and also welcomed a lethal gang into the Northside. I'm sure you've heard worse." Archie raised a brow at her.

     "Are you defending her?"

     "Are you hating her without a legitimate reason? Look, Ronnie, Sydney's a sweet girl and I can say so because Reggie talks about her like she's the best sister ever."

     Veronica didn't say a word after that. She huffed and kept on twirling her straw through her milkshake.

_____

Hours went by and when Sydney heard a honk, she figured it was Reggie coming to pick her up. "Pop, I'm gone," said Sydney as she swung her jacket around her. She was about to leave when the door swung open and in came Cheryl Blossom. "Move it, Tarantino."

     She made no move to shove Sydney out of her way, so Sydney stepped aside graciously. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Cher, but we're closed. I'm the last employee to leave," she apologized. "But I guess I can make you my specialty milkshake if you can hear what I have to offer."

     Cheryl rolled her eyes. "Fine. Make it quick."

     "On it." Sydney walked into the kitchen to make the milkshake. "Back so soon?" asked Pop. "Got one last customer," explained Sydney before putting everything together and pressing the "milkshake" button. After that was done, she poured it into a glass, added whipped cream, and topped it off with a maraschino cherry. She stuck a straw into it and brought it out to Cheryl. "Now that you have your shake, are you willing to hear what I have to say?" asked Sydney. Cheryl took a sip of the milkshake and then said, "No."

     "What?"

     "Did I stutter? I said the answer is a double cherry on top 'No.'"

     "Can I least propose the proposal first?"

     Cheryl sighed. "Whatever."

     "I want you to be in my movie for the Riverdale Picture Show. I wanna know what it's like to be you, how your life is outside of school. What you do on the weekends and in between classes," Sydney proposed. At that, Cheryl perked up at the idea. "I'll think about it. Give me your number so I can text you my reply."

     Sydney dug around for her phone in her jacket pocket, unlocked it, and held it out to her. Cheryl took it, entered her phone number, and handed it back. She then took out her phone and Sydney recited her number. "How much?" she asked. "What?" asked Sydney. "The milkshake. How much?" Cheryl repeated.

     "Oh, no charge. It's on the house. It's the least I could do for your actually considering," Sydney said. Cheryl got up and left, and Sydney went to go clean the half-empty glass. When she was about to step out and finally go home, she felt a buzz in her jacket pocket. Pulling her phone out, she saw her screen light up dimly with a text:

Cherry Bomb
i'm in. we start tomorrow

     Sydney did a little jump and then heard a horn honk. "C'mon, Syd! I'm tired!" Reggie. "Coming!" Sydney hopped down the diner steps before she received another honk. "Ease up, Reg!"

     As she got into the car, Reggie asked, "Why are you so happy? You just worked a five to eleven shift."

     "I got Cheryl to agree to be my subject for the film festival!"

     "That's great! I'm proud of you, Syd."

     "Thanks, Reg. Now let's go home. I'm beat."

     "Right," said Reggie sarcastically, "like you're the one who got out of a gruesome football practice."

     "Hey, I was on roller skates the entire night," Sydney defended playfully. "Because that makes things so much harder!" Reggie backed out of the parking lot and then they were headed for home.