A shrug of his shoulders and a pocket full of phone numbers to get in contact with the clients was enough proof for that ( he wasn’t about to take a bunch of drunks phones, he wasn’t that kind of guy ). He’d text them in a day or so, remind them of the deals they had made even if they didn’t remember it, then meet up someplace where lingering eyes and ears on the streets weren’t a problem.
“Glad to know someone believes that.” He knew he was innocent. A few people knew as well, if they knew him well enough to trust him. Two of those people, however, weren’t his foster parents. They wholeheartedly believed that he had done it, but they didn’t say anything in fear of the check they got from him going anywhere. Cautions eyes glanced around the party, knowing that everyone was too wasted to even pay attention to what was happening around them. He was certain that the house would catch on fire and none of them would realize it until their closed started smoking. Looking towards the door, he saw a clear path and looked back at Cheryl with a smirk,
“Want to leave together or should I walk out first?”
Her brows suddenly raised, as if he were posing a challenge. Of course he was not going to be the one to leave her behind — some stupid sense of pride that Cheryl was not going to question right now. A hand gently tucked a few locks behind her ear, eyes making one final contact with his. On her face, a coy smile, “Just follow, whenever you feel like it.” She did not look back to see if he’d decided to come right along, and the music was too loud for his steps to be heard anyway. Whereas normally she would be more careful with being seen together, tonight she did not care. No one cared, anyway.
Outside, the wind sang a muffled tune, gently slapping Cheryl’s bare arms. She walked down the alley in front of Noel’s house, taking a turn onto the sidewalk. A few more steps, before she finally stopped. It was safe here — unlike her house, where her mother did nothing but take everything out on her.
Cheryl mourns her brother, but grief is making her weak. The only other emotions she can access are vengeance, and lust. It burns sweetly, like cinnamon hearts.
“ Since when do you know me as someone who listents to the rumours?” just because she knew the rumours, didn’t eman she was listening to them- she only believed in people, in conversations, in facts and right now even dizzy she believed that.
The dark-hairded girl shrugged her shoulders. “ You know what they say, but it doesn’t mean they’re true- I mean…I always try to look over those. Always.Maybe you can try it too.”
She grew impatient. It was a bit unfair of her to ask anything of Riley, but then again when did Cheryl care for fairness? “I mean,“ her voice was honeyed, annoyance prevalent in her words. “That is not what I asked, but thank you for the advice, Mary Sue.“
A smirk played at his lips as he stood there, allowing her hand towards her face. Anyone catching a side glance would have probably assumed she was going to hit him. If only they really knew. “Hm, I do.” He commented, taking a sip from his drink. It had gotten watered down since he had poured it — too busy people watching and convincing people to potentially contact him to upgrade their phones. A good businessman never really sleeps, after all.
“A little of both,” Was his eventual comment. People were more easy to talk to when they were drunk off their ass and not afraid of him. ( He was glad that at least Cheryl wasn’t. He hoped she believed he’d never do that kind of thing. )
Daringly, a free hand fell to her hip under the shadows of their bodies; nobody suspecting a thing. “Heard there was a party and what better way to make people believe I’m innocent than to get wasted off my ass along with them?” She had to have known that he wasn’t drunk, though. The smell of alcohol was gone from his breath thanks to the juice, the effects of the pill only making him more awake. It was almost as if he were normal, unless someone pulled out a breathalyzer. “What about you? I would assume you were better than a Noel Kahn destined-for-police party.” The question was a whisper, only meant for Cheryl to hear. And given their close proximity, she would.
“Is it going well?” A pure question which masked her worry. She was aware that his situation was much different than hers, and she had thought about it in numerous occasions, she could just… give him money. An offence, that was how he would consider it, yet his nonacceptance did not mean Cheryl pushed the idea to the side altogether. She could be very convincing — not at the expense of his pride though.
His intelligence, which no one in their right mind would question, helped him, but other people could be of aid as well without wanting anything in return. Cheryl would know, her twin being nothing less than a shield throughout all these years. Caleb seemed to be foreign to this concept. These were all thoughts she could not voice to him just yet, if ever.
Her body flinched at his touch, surprise being evident in her expression. Eyes, they were everywhere, however too caught up in their own interactions, Cheryl came to realise. “You are innocent.” This was a sudden reply, as if anything else was inconceivable. Cheryl was more convinced about this than about any other feelings she might have towards him. And he was not even drunk tonight, which could be a problem. She, after all, took her fair share of pills. His question caused a moment of reflection. Of course, there was the lie — here to make sure no cheerleader breaks the rule of not coming, and there was the truth… her house became unbearable. “And to miss all the drama? Please. Just between us, you think too highly of me.
We could always just go. I can’t stand being here, but I don’t want to be alone.” Her voice matched his own, barely a whisper, in an attempt to convey her vulnerability.
♫ you know life is cruel, life is never kind. kind hearts don’t make the news story, kind hearts don’t grab any glory ♫ Cheryl Blossom in “To Riverdale and Back Again” Sneak Peek
Riley never got drunk and when she says never- it’s never, but half an hour after she’d taken the pill- she doesn’t even know what that was- she was as dizzy as she had ever been, barely able to mentain eye contact with someone. But, the second the redhead started to talk with her- out of instinct, she approached and nodded frequently her head. She honestly couldn’t resemble what she was saying much, but there was no way something else but nice words would ever come out of her mouth.
“ Of course you don’t bite, Cher! What’s up with that question?”
She seemed ecstatic, as if this conversation, once it ended, would lead her somewhere. A destination. Cheryl wondered what she took. “Well, you know, people are saying things…” her speech drifted off, as a sigh escaped her lips dramatically. “I seem to be avoided like the plague. I was just making sure people knew.”
“Anyway, what could they even be saying?” The inquiry is throwed in the air, in an attempt to not make it too obvious that she was curious.
“And here I thought that was something you were into.” He hadn’t expected to run into Cheryl at the party, but then again, he hadn’t really expected to be as social as he had been. He had popped another one of the pills that he had taken from the beginning of the night, the same one as before, and the shots he took with Jake had really started to kick in at this point. He wasn’t drunk, wasn’t stoned off his ass, but it was enough to allow him to have fun without thinking about the consequences. That’s why when he caught Queen C’s gaze, he found himself walking towards her.
“But it’s a shame; here I thought that vixen’s enjoyed sinking their teeth into whatever they wanted.” It was a nag at the cheerleading squad and how some guys would call their short skirts “manipulating” them into cheating on their girlfriends, but Caleb knew it wasn’t true. He was kidding, sarcasm filling his tone as he leaned agaisnt the wall next to her, his cup as red as her lips filled with juice ( although if anyone asked it was some alcoholic drink ) sitting in his hand and making him look like he was trying too hard.
“Oh, but I am. Just not in public.” The words unfolded on her tongue, a tinge of amusement reflecting in her tone and upon the smile she flashed towards Caleb. “You already know that.” Sarcasm didn’t go unnoticed, but a reaction was unnecessary. Cheryl was well aware of her girls’ reputation, and, in some cases, a pride filled her. They were, indeed, teases for the weak.
She wished Caleb were weak in this moment, so this loneliness would not eat her whole. He could eat her instead.
Maybe, maybe this was the aftermath of the pills.
“What purpose brings you out tonight?” A brow flickered upwards, as she reached out to touch a stray dark lock and tuck it behind Caleb’s ear. Close enough to count eyelashes, her eyes got momentarily lost on his features, and it occurred to her — was he feeling as out of place as she was? Regaining her composition, “Business or pleasure?”
Even all doped up, Cheryl was still Cheryl. A live action reincarnation of the fire nation’s princess, Azula. Ronnie couldn’t help but wonder…. if that made Jason, her brother- Zuko? Also, exiled. The comparison brought a smile to the newly-minted river vixen’s lips. Of all the parties Cheryl Blossom would attend, Veronica could admit she didn’t think this one would make the cut. Ronnie would have thought a pharmaceutical party would be beneath Cheryl. And, she’d reprimand any one of her River Vixens who attended and risked getting themselves into trouble. Penelope wouldn’t stand for this kind of behavior. That, much was for sure. And now that she was the acting principal, she had more leverage to find out about these sort of gatherings and shut them down.
What would the dearly evil, mommy dearest have to say about her only daughter and last living heir, attending this sort of soiree? But, not only that - participating in it?
“I have no idea,” Veronica shouted over the music. And, that was the god’s honest truth. She had no clue what she was on. But, that was all part of the fun, wasn’t it? “But hey, I’m surprised you showed. The other day at practice you pretty much swore this party off. And threatened to kick any river vixen who attended from the squad, no exceptions. What changed your mind, Cheryl bombshell?”
Veronica was a puzzle Cheryl had to figure out. Her fieriness lighted her up. Not a follower, that was for sure, yet there could only be one leader. Could they ever work well together?
Cheryl allowed herself to laugh — there was a plan behind all of that. It amused her, really, that Veronica could not see it. She took her time though, swirling around to the rhythm of the music, as to search throughout the whole room. Eventually, she returned to the one who was considered a threat, if not a friend. “Veronica, how many River Vixens do you see here? — I’ll tell you, not many. How would I have known that? Unless you’re pretty much stupid and won’t go to college anyway, you would not post a picture on social media from tonight, would you?”
“I had to be here.” She simply concluded, a smile adorning her face. “What’s your reason?”
