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♡
"Caroline?" the brunette boy asked. Caroline nodded like it was the first time anyone ever said her name. When it was spoken from his mouth and tasted like sweet peaches.
"That's me," she smiled, feeling her knees go weak as he smiled back, grinning all the way up to his eyes.
"Mr. Kinkle, could you please give Ms. Peach a tour of the school this morning? I'd hate to put this on you so last minute—"
"Oh, don't worry about it," he smiled kindly at Ms. Meeks. "I'd be happy to show her around. I've got the time," he nodded reassuringly at the teacher. Caroline only hoped he was like this even when the teachers weren't around. We've seen boys like that before — but on the other side of the river. "Do you wanna get going?"
Caroline blinked a couple of times before realizing he was talking to her. "Oh, uh, yeah. Sure," she grabbed her backpack and stood up, taking the schedule Ms. Meeks gave her with her. "Thanks again, Ms. Meeks."
"No problem child," the lady kindly smiled before Harvey and Caroline left the room and closed the door behind them.
"So your name is actually, and really, Caroline Peach?" Harvey asked, obviously curious about the new girl. Caroline nodded, unaware of his lingering eyes as her own looked over the decorations of the hallways. She instantly noted the unique Halloween decor. "Is it invasive if I ask what your middle name is?"
"Not at all," she shot Harvey a smile. "And it's Malena."
♡
Now nearing the end of the month, Caroline was warming up to the chilly town. In theory, the idea of Greendale wasn't bad, it was just different. Caroline watched the town go deeper down the Halloween hole as more and more decorations were set out everywhere, from front lawns to stores and even the movie theatre. She could only guess that the people of Greendale liked to celebrate the holiday.
"This place is definitely a lot more into celebrating than Riverdale ever was," Caroline pulls her backpack strap tighter as she looks around, not speaking to anyone in general, except Lina and Olivia who are at both sides.
Lina chuckles as she pokes around with the straw in her water bottle. "Yeah, Riverdale is a shit town when it comes to that stuff. All they care about is their picture-perfect reputation, with their blue and yellow uniforms and their... ugh, just stop me," she shudders as she takes a drink of her water.
Olivia places a hand on Caroline's shoulder. "She means that with love."
"Caroline, hey!" Harvey seems to come out of nowhere as he turns a corner and comes face to face with the brunette.
"Hey, Harvey," Caroline smiles, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "What's up?"
"I was looking for you after school but you were gone," he explained. "I mean, all of you," he looked at the small group of three, eyes quickly flickering over Olivia, who returned a smile to Harvey, and Lina, who barely looked up at the guy, preoccupied with her water bottle and her phone. She was quick to lose interest in a boring conversation.
Caroline nodded. "Sabrina pulled us into this club that she and that girl Roz are starting," she explained. "It's a movement for women."
Harvey laughed as he looked at the ground. "That sounds like Sabrina."
Caroline nodded, unsure what was going on, but wanted to get down to the point like always. She already felt uncomfortable talking about Sabrina and watching Harvey smile over her. "Right, so what did you want? I mean, why were you looking for me?"
"I wanted to see if you wanted to come to this party on Halloween night, Roz is hosting it at her place since her parents will be away. Lina and Olivia can come too."
Olivia lightened up. "Oh, a party," she smiled. "That sounds great."
"Do we have to dress up?" Lina lowered her arm to her side, water bottle daggling.
Harvey's smile faded a little at Lina's obvious unenthusiasm. "Well, yeah. It's a Halloween party."
Not wanting to let Harvey down already — like the people pleaser she was deep down — Caroline found herself agreeing to the idea. "Sounds great, Harvey. If you can get the address to us, we'll be there," she smiled.
"Okay, awesome," he nodded with a smile. There was a slightly awkward silence in the air, the two of them nodding and smiling at each other for a brief moment before Lina cleared her throat intently. "So I'll uh, see you around."
"See ya," Caroline grinned and let him walk around her. After he was out of earshot, she turned to Olivia. "I don't think I have a costume."
Olivia snickered. "Take whatever's in your closet and make it slutty."
Lina rolled her eyes as a lightbulb went off in Caroline's head. "Oh my God, I'll go as a River Vixen!" Lina and Olivia simultaneously said, "a what?" making Caroline sigh. "That's what we called cheerleaders back on my side of the river," she explained, the two girls nodding.
"A slutty River Vixen," Olivia smiled as she leads the trio to the little bookstore she worked at, cashing out customers buying books part-time, and selling the seashell accessories she makes by hand whenever her boss isn't looking. "Hey, Carol, weren't you saying something about making extra cash on the side while you're here?"
Caroline nodded, almost thrown off by the new nickname. "Yeah, it's always nice to have your own money, because then you can spend it whenever you want," she chuckled.
Olivia laughed with her. "I totally agree. There's a spot open at the store if you wanna apply. I can put in a good word with my manager."
Caroline nodded. "That sounds rather tempting actually."
♡
SWEET CAROLINE ; oh sweet caroline. she has no idea what's coming.
