Name has changed! It's still me... just with a more fitting username.
Follow me on Twitter - cappuchoni
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
It's not uncommon for people to have shields, things to protect them from the harshness of reality. Shields exist in countless forms, be they physical or metaphorical. Some would call theirs security blankets. Cheryl just called hers red, her signature color. To her red meant power. It meant security. It meant she was invincible.
She looked in the mirror of her small bathroom and smiled. A fresh coat of lipstick adorned her lips, and for the first time in almost two weeks something felt right.
Cheryl had gotten up extra early to enjoy a long, relaxing shower. She had wanted to take full advantage of the new hot water heater. Unlike her previous showers in the trailer, this one produced steam. Her muscles had basked in the intense heat, and her pores thanked her for the deep clean. The redhead had stepped out of the shower with a rejuvenated sense of confidence; perhaps things were finally looking her way.
Her fashion choices were still limited, but she made a note to buy some more new pieces after school let out for the day, things worthy of Cheryl Blossom.. or at least more acceptable when keeping in mind her constrained budget. She found a short sleeved, off-the-shoulder, black crop top. It accentuated her features, but she scoffed at the way it left her unwelcomed belly button ring visible. She paired the top with her best jeans and a pair of ankle boots she had found under the bed.
She wished there was more red, but for now, the lips were enough. Cheryl could finally see herself staring back at her, plus a few additional holes in her ears, but it was her.
"Looking good, Blossom," Jughead commented as she slid into the passenger seat of her car a short time later. Sometimes Cheryl forgot the vehicle was hers since she hadn't driven it once, not that she had any desire to. "That smile suits you."
She fastened her seatbelt and glanced over to him. "Feeling like myself for a change, and I'm done letting people push me around. I think it's time they see what a real HBIC looks like."
"Cher," he turned to her, concern across his face, "what are you planning?"
"I'm not planning anything."
"Just," he sighed, "promise you aren't going to do anything stupid?"
"Of course I'm not," she scoffed.
"Says the girl who just planned a B&E," Jughead reminded her as put the car in gear.
Cheryl rolled her eyes, "That was different."
"That was yesterday."
"I swear I'm not doing anything reckless, okay?" She sighed, "This is just me... remembering what's it's like to be me."
