Love Me (Choni)

CHAPTER TWO, Changing Times:

Cheryl's pov:

It had happened on the least expected of days. School had just finished for the summer term And the sun was high in the sky. Being queen bee of Riverdale high, I had taken it upon my self to organise an after school party at sweet water river.

The invited list was short and sweet, two many would have been a hassle. It included Betty who was my cousin, her best friend Veronica, my fellow red head Archie, the athletic Reggie and Kevin who somehow managed to invite himself to everything.

Once we exhausted ourselves and the day had made the most out of the sun. We started to make our way back to the village we called home, Riverdale. As we neared the village our group grew silent.

"Isn't it awfully quiet" Commented Kevin in a hushed tone.

"Well done captain obvious" I retorted in a sharp tone to hide my growing uneasiness. A nervous feeling had come over our group. It was too quiet, no distant cars, no stray dogs barking or sound of human activity.

"I'm sure it's nothing" reassured Archie, taking the lead at the front next to Reggie. They had been best friends since we could all remember. Clueless we resumed our chatter and banta, teasing Betty and Veronica how they should be an item.

We had crossed the road leading to Riverdale high when Archie and Reggie suddenly stopped and stood still as a statue. We rushed to catch up and then saw why. Standing what could have been five metres at most away from us was a horrific sight, a zombified human came towards us.

I grabbed at Kevin holding for dear life onto his arm. I felt my breath hitch in my throat and my legs sink into the ground. The creature came keenly towards us, its glazed over eyes glinted and drool fell from its decayed mouth. If it hadn't been for Reggie we probably would've all died there. Grabbing the base ball bat that we had been playing with earlier, he dashed forward and swung at the zombies head. I turned away, hiding my face in Kevin's shoulder. The following crunch and thud I heard confirmed Reggie had saved us.

"We should leave now, we don't know how many more there are!" reasoned Betty still white in the face and clinging onto Veronica's arm.

"What leave with nothing? We'd survive a day at the most," I argued, my stomach still doing somersaults. Kevin nodded in agreement.

"Cheryl's right, Betty, I can't leave without checking Fred's here" Archie added in a trembling voice.

"I'm always right" I commented, rolling my eyes, shaken as I was I couldn't let my stony defences drop.

"Well I'm open to suggestions" exclaimed veronica, practically holding up Betty.

"We should split into two groups, gather supplied from our houses and meet back here in thirty minutes," said Reggie. We all nodded in agreement, sticking in groups seemed the safest option. I paired up with Archie and Kevin and instantly set off at a brisk pace. Non of us wanted to stay any longer in Riverdale than necessary.

We visited Archie's house first, it was completely abandoned inside. He quickly packed, there was pain etched across his face.

"Better bring this too, got a feeling there will be more than that one... zombie" He commented picking up his revolver and shoving it into his yellow and blue jacket.

"I guess my dad must have found a safe hiding place somewhere else" Archie spoke.

"I'm sure he did" reassured Kevin reaching to comfort him.

We then made our way quickly to my home, Thistle house. I entered breathing in the familiar smell. I left Kevin and Archie downstairs and dashed to my room. I packed an extra pair of clothes, sanitary items, makeup, my sketch pad (I had a thing for drawing) and slipped on an extra red leather jacket to match my lipstick. The final touch was my iconic spider brooch that I fastened onto my grey top. I did a once over in the mirror, my flawless reflection glanced back. My red hair was in a side parting, my face paler than usual and on my legs black skinny Jean's and trainers. Not my first choice of outfit but I had to be prepared for walking and probably fighting to come.