Pop's Waitress

I Know You

Toni Topaz

Jughead and Betty are having a barbecue so I'm going to help them get ready. I pulled up on my purple bike then walked up to the door and got my key out my pocket and unlocked it.

"Jones's I'm home!" I yelled stepping in. Their kids, Juliette (six years old) and Forsyth (three years old), came to hug me.

"Hi Auty Topaz!" Forsyth squealed as I picked him up. Jug came out and gave me a quick hug as Betty tried to peel Forsyth off. When she did she hugged me and led us to the kitchen.

When we entered I saw the redhead sitting at the island eating grapes. She was wearing a stunning navy blue crop top, red tights and amazing thigh high boots.

"Nice outfit." I said heading to the fridge, "Not too bad yourself." She replied looking at me. "Betty, do I know this person?" she said.

"Yes Cher, she was at the wedding," Betty said taking a grape from Cheryl's bowl. I sat down next to her, "So that's why you sounded so familiar." I spoke looking at her hair. She just nodded as Juliette sat on her lap playing with her hair.

She turned her head to me, "So I'm guessing your pink hair isn't natural."

"No. I dyed it because it was my favorite color. At first it was super dark but it washed out to a lighter hot pink." I said fast, "Is your red natural."

"No it was cherry red but it washed out." She said sarcastically.

Betty interrupted, "Blossoms live and die by their red locks, she's a hair virgin."

"Blossom?" I questioned knowing about her brother and well basically almost everything about her family.

"I am proud, but also disappointed. But Betty is also a Blossom," She sighed stroking Juliette's naturally crimped hair.

"If you had a different hair color what would you prefer?" I asked wanting to change the subject.

"Uh," she hesitated, "I want Juliette's naturally deep brown hair. Like Hobo's but lighter." She kissed Juliette's hair. Betty placed a bowl of strawberries in front of Cheryl along with a cutting board and a knife.

"Hobo?" I asked confused.

"She has called me hobo since junior high." Jug said handing me chicken.

"Mommy's Bride of hobo!" Forsyth leaped into her arms, "And he's baby hobo." Betty said poking his stomach.

"Naturally," I heard a voice behind me.

"Auntie V!" Juliette screamed running to Veronica.

I greeted her then Archie dragged Jug and I out to start grilling.

"Wow Archibald how much has Jug rubbed off on you." I asked sarcastically.

"A lot!" He replied and we started to laugh.

"But you still can't beat me in a hot dog contest."

"Just you watch Antoinette, just you watch." He said pointing his finger, " I'm coming for your second place belt." He pat my hair. Jug laughed at us, "You two will never beat me." He said putting chicken on the grill.

We talked and talked and greeted more people and then we finished grilling and went to help inside as the kids all played in the 4ft pool. "Hey Archie don't you wanna go play with kids your own age." I joked, "You're not wrong," He said unbuttoning his shirt to get in the pool.
Me and Jug walked into the kitchen and asked what we could do to help.
Betty told Jughead to taste test the food, "And Toni, Cheryl could use some help entertaining some spoiled eight year olds." Betty said referring to Juniper and Dagwood.

I walked to the living room and saw Cheryl photographing the twins. "Need some help?" I asked as Cheryl turned to me. "Yes I'm trying to capture memories. This lightning is terrible." Cheryl rolled her eyes at the phone.

"You have to make the lighting work for you. Here." I took the phone from Cheryl and started snapping pictures from all angles. "I prefer cameras not on phones but I can make this work." I said. I showed her the pictures and she was shocked. "Wow! I am in awe. You're amazing." She side hugged me.

"Thanks. Hold on." I walked upstairs to Jughead's closet and pulled out a trunk that had most of our Southside High days stuff. I pulled out three cameras then headed back down stairs. I walked to the kitchen sink and pulled out my old Polaroid camera. When I got back to the living room Cheryl looked beautiful just talking to the twins so I snapped a picture. "Perfect," I looked at the picture that just printed as Cheryl noticed me. "Want a caption?" I asked her handing her a marker. "Don't mind if I do." She grabbed the marker and wrote on the photo.

"Capturing Nonchalantness." I read it aloud, "That is perfect." I walked over to Juniper and Dagwood and handed them the two digital cameras. "I have a mission for you two. Go snap shots of everyone being normal. Just talking and cooking or whatever. Just don't let them see you." I whispered.

"Being sneaky is a talent of mine," Dagwood said walking out to the pool.  "I'll try." Juniper said unsure. "You'll do great." I gave Juniper some confidence.

Cheryl was modeling for me and I kept snapping great shots.

"How come you aren't a perfesoinal photographer. Why are you still stuck in Riverdale." Cheryl asked me sitting down.

"Because Riverdale and the Serpents is all I've ever known." I said plopping down next to her. "I'm not big on risk. So going out into the unknown is sorta terrifying," I spoke with my head leaning of her shoulder. "What about you? Why are you still in this god forsaken town," I laughed, "Everyone who has ever loved me is here.  My own family hates me, and I fear that I'll never find love because of my mother. So I just decided not to look." She started to cry so I pulled her in and she sobbed in my shoulder.

Cheryl Blossom

As I was crying Toni was comforting me. I couldn't stop myself. Soon I stopped and told her I was going to use the bathroom.  I walked to Betty's old room, locked the door, and sat on Juliette's bed. I put my hands on my face and wiped my tears. Thank god my mascara is water proof. God this room hasn't changed a bit. I walked to the bathroom and rinsed my face. I walked out to Juliette's bookshelf and took the one I loved reading to her, Winter Recess. I sat on the arm chair and started to read.

After a little while there was a knock on the door, "Cheryl are you ok?" Archie's voice filled my ears. I got up and unlocked the door letting him in.

"Who sent you?" I joked letting him know I was fine. "Well it's time for dinner, Betty called. Toni told us you ran up here after you cried." I looked at him, "We're gonna have a talk ginger to ginger," we sat on the bed and he put his hand on my shoulder.

"Oh Archibald, will I ever find love?" A single tear fell down.

"Yes Cheryl, you will be loved. But for now, you have us." He pulled me into his arms. I sobbed for two minutes then he wiped my tears and led me downstairs.

"I'm fine, just a break down." I sat down, "Reminds me of the pep rally," Veronica shared a smile with me.

Ten minutes in and it was time for dessert. Betty stood up and started talking, "Toni Topaz, I have waited for eternity for you to ask,"