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One. You never even considered whether you wanted to be a River Vixen. Cheryl Blossom was the captain and your best friend. Attendance was mandatory. Resistance was futile. You loved your best friend though even you had to admit that she was a bit…self-involved. 

“Obviously I’ll be doing a solo. I’ve got the maddest skills on the squad,” Cheryl explained to Veronica, who questioned her solo choices yet again. Veronica Lodge was a self-claimed reformed mean girl and while she was actually incredibly kind, she was almost a bit…self-involved. “You had a solo last week. Betty has one. A tiny one, of course. Y/N has the biggest solo. Would you like to challenge her to a dance-off?”

Veronica looked in your direction. You shrugged and smiled. Your mother owned Riverdale’s dance studio and you were a company dancer, which required a fifteen-hour-a-week practice minimum. Being the owner's daughter made it closer to twenty-five. Truthfully, you didn’t care much about the solo. Being a River Vixen was fun and significantly less stressful than the dance competition and your goal wasn’t to be the best. If Veronica wanted to challenge you, you wouldn’t take it to heart. You stretched, touching your hands to your toes. When you came back up, you leaped into the arm and did a toe touch, something you had never seen Ronnie do. Okay, maybe you minded a little. Veronica put her hands in the hair, conceding.

“That’s what I thought, Veronica,” Cheryl said with a smirk. Your best friend turned to you. “Now, why don’t we start off by showing the girls what a real dancer can do?”

You smiled and stepped into the center of the room.

Two. Cheryl loved you always, even when you had the occasional spat. Because she loved you, she always worried about you. Your mother wore you ragged with your practice hours, you were a River Vixen (Okay. That one was for her.), and you were in the senior math class. You were chronically stressed. When she handed you a ginger tea that morning, your first sign of impending illness or burnout, she noticed the bags under your eyes. 

“Mon Amie, I believe you need to slow down. A sick day perhaps?” You laughed and Cheryl rolled her eyes. She reached for your forehead but you swatted her hand away. You were momentarily distracted as Sweet Pea walked down the hall. Cheryl was sure her eyes had disappeared based on how far back they rolled into her head. She took the opportunity to touch your forehead. It wasn’t warm but she knew it might be coming. You were known for your stomach aches, usually due to stress or exhaustion. 

“I’m just a little nauseous. Stomach ache, you know.” Cheryl raised her eyebrows and you sighed heavily. “If it’s not better by lunch…”

“Nurses’ Office, obvi.”

 Cheryl loved you enough to only say “I told you so” twice when she had to hold back your hair as you vomited during third period. She didn’t even hesitate to waltz out of the classroom when you charged out, completely ignoring whatever Mrs. Kerwin had to say about it. Riverdale was held together at its very core by Blossom Maple Syrup. There was no way Cheryl would be serving detention for helping her sick best friend. But it was for you, only you and her beloved Toni, whose hair she would ever hold back. 

Three. But Cheryl was only repaying a debt from a few months prior. Reggie Mantle’s parents had gone out of town and he had thrown a party. It was wild, of course, and you planned to spend the night sipping the soda that was used for mixers and no alcohol. Cheryl did no such thing.

You gripped your best friend’s arm and pulled her into the bathroom. Her lipstick was smudged and the strap of her tank top was falling off her shoulder. She was gorgeous, but a mess. “Cheryl, you can’t just flop into Archie Andrew’s lap. He’s dating Valerie. You know that.”

“Not for looong.” Cheryl smiled brightly. She was definitely drunk and even now she was sipping from a red solo cup. Something Sober Cheryl would never do in a room so close to a toilet. “He has red hair and I have red hair. His family though kind of poor is like the one family in Riverdale that mine doesn’t hate. So I have to have him.”

“Like ninety minutes ago you were making out with Moose.” Cheryl shrugged and reached for the doorknob. You grabbed her by her shoulders before she could. “He’s dating Midge. Since like the seventh grade. We like Midge. She’s a River Vixen. She’s our friend, Cher. Why would you do that?”

“I like boys.” Cheryl’s eyes started to water. Her hands reached for the necklace at the base of her neck. It was a cherry blossom but instead of being an expensive gold or a giant diamond, it was modest. It had been a gift from Heather, whom Cheryl was close with in middle school. “I like boys.”

“Oh, Cher,” you said, wrapping your arms around her. She never said a word about Heather but you had always had your suspicions. And you knew Cheryl’s mother. Penelope was Cheryl’s greatest and most unnecessary critic. Cheryl pulled back with a jerk.

“I’m going to vomit,” she said, dropping her drink to the floor. As the drink spilled, so did Cheryl and you could do nothing but hold back her hair.

Four. Her breakup with Toni gutted her. You knew that. Cheryl pretended not to care but each night she called you crying, under the guise of having just watched a sad movie. You’d slept over three times that week just because of those calls.  When you found Toni in the bathroom, she paused.

“I don’t want to fight,” Toni said, giving you the once over. The hours of dancing had given you a lot of muscles but Toni was tough too. 

“I don’t want to fight,” you answered. Toni seemed to lower her guard but only a little. “I just…I know you love her.”

Toni’s eyes shown with tears and she nodded. You smiled and hugged her. When you pulled back, you said “So please work this out. She’s miserable without you.”

As Toni went to leave, you spoke again. “Oh and babe? To be clear, I think you’re great. But I am team Cheryl. All day. Every day. So if you ever actually do something horrid?”

“Hell hath no fury,” Toni finished. You smiled. 

Five. There was never anyone good enough for you but when you chose Sweet Pea, Cheryl had to make a few things clear, even if you’d be furious. Luckily, your new fling was good friends with Cheryl’s love. Best friends dating best friends was a good combination. The double dates would be endless. Still, Cheryl wasn’t going to go easy on him.

“Babe, go easy,” Toni cautioned as the girls sat down across from Sweet Pea. Without a word, Fangs stood from the table and left. 

“Sweet Pea, let’s chat,” Cheryl said to an unenthused and nervous Sweet Pea.

“About?”

“You are dating my best friend. My best friend. I don’t need to remind you that the “river” in Riverdale runs with maple syrup, do I?” Cheryl waited but Sweet Pea didn’t say anything. His expression, angry and defiant, made it clear she got her point across. “Now, I like you. Sort of. Toni likes you and mon amour has impeccable taste, obv. And you do seem to properly adore my bestie. But let me make one thing clear.

“My father murdered my brother - my other half over drugs and maple syrup. My mumsie is a homophobic monster who pushed my Nana down the stairs and once dated Riverdale’s best-known serial killer. I am the sole caretaker of my Nana. Through all of this? There was Y/N. I have very little family left, Serpent. You better believe that I will do everything in my power - my unforgiving power to protect it. Understood?”

When you arrived, Katy ran to greet you and lead you into the house quickly. You complied but not before smiling widely at him and throwing a wink over your shoulder. You’d been his sweetie was three months now and it was going pretty good if you asked him. Hell, you loved dogs, got along with his sister, and were quick-witted. Didn’t hurt that you were a rocket either. 

So he hadn’t been concerned about your quick run to the house until Katy came out without you. Wayne was holding a beer in his left hand instead of his right, to move the sore side of his back as little as possible, not that he’d ever admit it. A good hot shower would fix him right up. The one he had taken that morning had helped some. He was fine. 

“Where’s Y/N?” Darry asked, before Wayne could say anything. Not that he minded. Anytime he talked, Katy could turn it around on him and nag him about his back, which he was trying really hard to forget about. Katy looked Wayne over and he held still, showing no sign of pain. He didn’t hurt when he held perfectly still.

“She’s sick,” Katy answered. Wayne jumped to his feet and then tried to hide the wince at the pain in his back. Katy was stone-faced, which meant that she saw but was choosing not to say anything. “Something ‘bout her stomach. I parked her up in your bed, Wayne. Figured I’d send you on up.”

“You got this, good buddy? I know your backs been -”

“Don’t finish that sentence or I’m gonna have to come over there and talk to you,” Wayne answered without looking in Darry’s direction. Instead he headed towards the house, stopping only to give Gus a pat on the head and open the door with his non-sore side. 

It was strange for you to just admit something was wrong. Usually, you’d tried to bottle it up and keep working. At least, that’s what you did when you were upset. You hadn’t been sick since you’d gotten together. How the hell was he supposed to take care of you?

When he found you lying in his bed, with your arms around your stomach, you looked bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. You weren’t pale or sweaty. He felt your forehead. Cool as a cucumber. No fever whatsoever.

“It’s my stomach,” you explained with a whimper. He felt bad for doubting you. You patted the spot on the bed next to you. “Change out of your barn clothes and come join me.”

You didn’t need to ask him twice. He changed into clean clothes,( he could always change back to chore late) and laid down next to you. You were lying on your stomach now, so he did the same. It was a relief not to add any pressure to his back. 

Suddenly, you crawled on top of him and worked your hands up the back of his shirt, massaging the muscles. He wanted to be mad at you but you were damned good at it. When you pulled out the muscle relaxing balm and began working that into his skin, he felt the pain start to melt away. 

“You were never sick, were you?” You didn’t answer but when he tried to turn to look at you, you leaned down and kissed his nose. It was really hard to be mad at a liar with such good hands. You worked the balm into his back with your palms, applying just the right amount of pressure. When you found the tightest muscle, you began to work with your fingers, rubbing in small circles to loosen the muscle. It was exactly what his back needed. Wayne moaned in pleasure. “Hell, I fucking love you.”

He tensed for a minute which he was certain you could feel sitting on top of him. You hadn’t said that to each other yet and three months in felt a learn early, especially now that he had thrown it out there. But you didn’t tense. You relieved his tension when you said, “I fucking love you too, Wayne.”

Your stomach was aching but you had brushed it off as nerves for your presentation first period. Besides, potential investors were supposed to come over for brunch and that wouldn’t be possible with a sick child in the house. Your mother was a perfectionist and a workaholic. “Are you alright?” had really meant “Please be alright. I am too busy for this.” So yes, you were alright and yes, you were going to school. By second period, the presentation nerves had faded away and you felt a bit better. The dissection in third period biology did not help.

By fourth period your throat was feeling a bit scratchy and your stomach remained swirling as you tried to push the image of the frog dissection out of your mind. It was your study hall and you should have been able to relax but your math teacher had asked you to tutor Reggie Mantle. Of course, you said yes.

“You look like you’re gonna hurl,” he said as he slid into the seat next to you in the library. You glared at him because outright denial would be a lie. Instead, you reached across the table and opened his math book to the current chapter. You were not in immediate danger of hurling. At least, not yet. All you had to do was focus. “Seriously. Are you alright? I heard it was dissection day but you look -”

“So are we doing to study or do you want to insult me some more? Because trust me, you need to study.” It wasn’t the nicest thing to say but at the moment, it was the nicest thing you could think of. He pushed his chair back with a loud screech, earning you a stern look from the librarian, and exited. 

It was fine with you. You had work you could be doing. You pulled out your own math homework but found you couldn’t concentrate. Ugh, you actually felt bad that you had implied Reggie was stupid. Tutoring had shown you that he wasn’t stupid, he just wasn’t strong in math. Those were two very different things. He could actually be kind when the other football players weren’t around. When you studied, he did try. You felt sick with guilt. And just sick.

Before you could decide what to do, a bottle of ginger ale and a package of crackers were thrust in front of you. Reggie took his seat again, seemingly unoffended. Food wasn’t allowed in the library but it was a sweet gesture all the same. You felt tears come to your eyes. Your own mother couldn’t make time to take care of you but Reggie? He’d gone out of his way after you’d called him stupid. “Seriously, Y/N. They help. I know it’s like a small thing but -”

“You’re not stupid,” you said, cutting him off again. He gave you a confused look and you felt your cheeks heat up. “What I said earlier. I didn’t mean - I just feel so gross and I didn’t want to talk about it and no one else seemed to care so I just...I was mean.”

Reggie put his hand on your forehead, seemingly unaffected by your ramblings. “Yeah, you’ve got a fever. I had that bug that went around. It was nasty. You should go home.”

You laughed. Going home wasn’t an option. Your mother had to work and...last time you tried that you had waited in the nurse’s office for two hours. When your mother had picked you up, she had been so frazzled leaving work and so concerned about her clients that you were consumed with guilt. No, there was no way you were letting anyone call your mom. “I can’t. Really. My mom’s at work and it’s just not an option. She has clients over for brunch. I’d have to wait and I don't want to fall behind..”

“At least take a break now.” You started to protest but Reggie cut you off. “Hey, I can study on my own this once. Someone told me recently that I wasn’t stupid.”

You were talking about dates with your pals the other day…

“Sos I takes it that yours date didn’t goes well yesterday,” Squirrelly Dan asked. You sighed heavily from your lawn chair in front of the produce stand. Wayne, Katie, Darry, and Squirrelly Dan were all in their usual spots. You had pulled up a chair behind Katie and next to Wayne. The two had been nice enough to lend you their guest room for two weeks while you waited to be able to move into your new apartment. You had planned to spend it on a cruise but that had fallen through at the last minute, leaving you with nowhere to stay and nothing to do.

“Well, I’d say so,” Darry answered, even though the question was directed at you. “She’s sitting here with us and not sleeping off a wild night out. Plus, you know, the guy she went with.”

“Don’t you mean guys?” Wayne was teasing but it stung a little. You had always had a soft spot for Wayne. Hell, it was a super soft spot but you had given up on that long ago. After all, girls like Bonnie McMurray couldn’t get a date with him so how could you expect to?

“It went okay at first, thanks to Katy,” You finally got to answer. The girl grinned at you. The night before had turned into a double date when your date, Jonsey, had shown up with Reilly. Katy was already dressed and ready to tap in, having seen this one coming. She had some experience with Pete and Repeat. “He was nice enough. Opened the door for me, took us to a nice enough restaurant, but then…”

“Then?” Darry asked after you trailed off. You felt Wayne’s eyes on you and your cheeks flushed red. “Did he not drop the hockey talk? Would you like to snuggle, wheel, snipe, or celly?”

“Dirty fucking dangles, my lady.” Dan continued.

“How about a good night kiss ferda boys, yeah?” Wayne finished. Katy laughed and you couldn’t help but join in. They had, in fact, not dropped the hockey talk.

“Now, I can speak Puck Bunny just fine, I’ll have you know. But I might have revealed a small insignificant detail about myself that they just couldn’t let go.”

“I wouldn’t call it insignificant,” Katy scoffed. “You’re Canadian and you’ve never been ice skating. You can’t skate. I thought it was a requirement for citizenship.”

Three heads whipped around in your direction. If possible, your face turned even redder. So you couldn’t ice skate. You could do a lot of other things. They could have offered to teach you to ice skate but no, they spent the rest of the night in shock. You thought you were going to have to drive their jeep home.

“How the fuck did you grow up in Canada and never ice skate?” You shrugged at Wayne’s question. “I mean, they should have let it fucking go but I can see where they’d lose their footing. Not exactly the brightest of fellas there.”

“If they were crayons, they’d be gray.”

“If theys were light bulbs, they’d be burnt out.”

“How many licks to get to the center of that Tootsies Pop? Don’t fucking bother. There’s nothing there,” Wayne finished. A silence fell without the group and Darry started passing beers out from the cooler. “You know, I can teach you how to sometime. Skate, I mean. If you want. So this doesn’t happen again.”

“She’s gotta say yes,” Katy answered before you could stumble out a reply. You knew Wayne was doing you a favor and not asking you out but it sounded close enough to leave you tongue-tied. “Since she’s not saying no this week.”

“To new opportunities. Like I was supposed to on my trip. I’m just stuck doing it here. In Letterkenny. No degens though.” As Katy started to speak, you silenced her with a finger. “He just got out of rehab. So it’s different.”

“Out of rehab?”

“Yous don’t means?” “No fucking way.”

You sighed deeply and shrugged, sneaking a quick glance at Wayne’s face. As usual, you couldn’t see anything.

“My condolences. So we’re still on for the new stunts with the Vixens after school, yes? Then we can celebrate. I’m thinking of a movie musical marathon. Sing-a-long required. With cherry phosphates from Pop’s. My beloved can join us if she wish. If not, it will just be us but that has always been good, yes?”

 You nodded. Cheryl smiled. Most people found her to be a bit…much. She worried about over-showering Toni with love, though she deserved every bit of it. You never seemed to get tired of Cheryl though. And you hadn’t hesitated to forgive her when she may have blown you off a few times at the start of her relationship. When she looked over, you were on your phone, smiling at a text message. Ugh. Sweet Pea.

 Cheryl didn’t have a problem with the Southside Serpents, Toni was one, after all. She didn’t even have a problem with Sweet Pea, per se. He was a good friend to the girlfriend she adored and she trusted Toni’s judgment but you had taken quite a shine to the boy so she had to be cautious. After all your heartbreak, she had to be careful. Sweet Pea was known to get into fights and react emotionally. While you claimed you and Reggie were friends now and he hadn’t been able to help his feelings for Veronica, Cheryl had no problem allowing him to house all the blame. She looked at you again. Your cheeks were heating up. You were blushing. Were you pale behind the blush? It was clear that you were enamored with the boy. When Toni had asked you to help tutor her friend, Cheryl hadn’t been concerned but now? Her concern was high.

She shared her concern with Toni later that day, as they waited for you at their lunch table. The other Vixens would join them soon, you along with them. Toni shook her head, adorable but unable to see reason. “Babe, he’s a good guy. I’ve known him forever. Besides, it’s none of our business if they want to see each other.”

The conversation was ended when the others arrived. You picked at your lunch, your favorite salad, which Cheryl had the chef make specifically for you. She was annoyed at Toni’s lack of alarm and that caused her to snap at you in a way she immediately regretted but didn’t acknowledge to save face. “Do you still have a stomach ache? We have a very important Vixen’s practice after school.”

“I’m fine. Thanks for your concern,” you grumbled back sarcastically as you took a huge bite of the salad as though you were suddenly starving. This surprised Cheryl, as you very rarely snapped at the girl. Toni gave her a look but Cheryl felt herself prickle. She had taken the time to get your favorite latte, which you barely drank, and to have your favorite lunch made for you. So, even if she was a little snippy, she had earned some leeway. Usually, you would both brush these things off. Instead, you powered through your salad before loudly and pointedly announcing how much you loved it. Sarcasm. Since when were you so rudely sarcastic with her?

The prickles lasted throughout the day until Vixens’ practice. Cheryl watched you from the corner of her eyes throughout the day. When she caught you grimacing and rubbing your temples, she was going to brush everything off as a headache but then Sweet Pea said something to you and you smiled and laughed. Cheryl was your best friend and it was some temperamental boy you were smiling at? Ridiculous. Unacceptable.

“Let it go, babe,” Toni told her as everyone lined up for practice. The weather was finally nice enough for them to be outside. Kevin, Fangs, and Sweet Pea loitered in the stands. The football team practiced on the other end of the field.  It should have been a good day.  Something was going on with her best friend. Were you actually mad at her? Over a silly comment? You always had a stomach ache. It was a thing. Cheryl didn’t feel bad. Not at all. Really. “She’s been weird all day. Sweet Pea asked me if I knew what was wrong with her. Something about groaning or moaning or whatever.”

Immediately, she was filled with worried. Groaning? Moaning? About what? Her? Cheryl knew she should relax. Let it go. Talk to you. Instead, she stepped away from Toni and clapped her heads, calling the girls together.

“Alright, Ladies! HBIC is speaking. Our new routine is fire. Or it would be if you all would stop fumbling. So we’re running it until we get it right. Start from the beginning and go through until my solo. I. E. The only part of the number that is currently flawless.” The girls began the dance as Cheryl stood by the radio. It was a solid synchronized beginning that broke off. Toni and Lisa took the front while you and Veronica were lifted into the air. You were tossed and gently placed down and then the girls made a path for the soloist, who would be Cheryl, of course.  The first run was shaky, which Cheryl informed the girls better be a warm-up. The second run was better but not good enough. Not perfect. Everything had to be perfect.

What surprised Cheryl was that you were dragging your feet. You never dragged your feet, dancing being your first love. Your mother ran the town's dance studio and you practiced your moves until they were perfect. Almost annoyingly so. Cheryl kept any jealousy she felt about your talent to herself because she loved her best friend. When Cheryl went to your dance competitions, she was filled with pride. She made everyone run it two more times.

“We’re getting better but still not quite there. Ginger, your arms need to be straight for the opening move, don’t flail. Veronica, adequate. Betty, try to look…I don’t know, interesting? And your kicks need to be higher and crisper. Get Veronica to help you if you can’t figure it out. And Y/N, get it together, please. We’re the River Vixens, not a charity team.” A stunned silence followed her words and no one moved. Cheryl never snapped at you, she never had to. Your face burned red and you moved into position to start the routine. The other girls followed you. You had a strange look on your face and Cheryl thought she saw tears in your eyes. Still, she hit play. She wasn’t even watching the girls, instead watching you give your all but still seem….off.  When the girls tossed you into the air, you missed all your marks. When they caught you and placed you down, you froze causing Betty to bump into you. You stayed frozen in place until Cheryl paused the music. “Y/N! What is going on with you?”

Cheryl took a step towards you. Her commanding voice was gone. The tears were back in your eyes and you seemed to be shaking. “Okay, you’re officially freaking me out, Y/N. Is this about lunch? I’m sorry I snapped at you, okay? You’re my -”

“I’m going to be sick.” You announced before darting off the field. There was no sarcasm to your voice. No anger. Only a terrified certainty. You had never been angry with her at all. You were ill.

“Toni, take the girls through the routine again. I’ll be back.” Cheryl took off after her friend, prepared to hold back her hair like you had done for her so many times before. Before she rounded the corner, she stopped. You were standing next to a large trash can, gripping both sides tightly. But you weren’t alone. Sweet Pea was standing next to you, rubbing your back.

“This is mortifying,” You sobbed, tears streaming down your face. Instead of bounding in to take over, her first instinct, Cheryl stayed where she was, peering around the corner.  “You do not have to stay for this. I should - I should - ”

You gagged and leaned over the trash can but didn’t vomit. Sweet Pea brushed a few tears from your eyes as you leaned back. “This is nothing. Fangs’ seventeen birthday? That was gross. Trust me. Like the exorcist.”

You laughed and then groaned again, placing one hand over your stomach. “I should have let you take me to the nurse in fifth period. You were right. I’ve been feeling sick all day. I didn’t even tell Cheryl, I just got snippy about her stupid salad. Ugh. That salad.”

You leaned over the trash can again and this time, everyone came up. Cheryl shuttered but watched as Sweet Pea stood by, brushing your hair out of your face and rubbing your back. It was sweet…in a disgusting sort of way. When you leaned back, he brushed the sweat from your forehead. He didn’t even flinch when you whipped the back of your mouth and spit. Instead, he pulled a water bottle out of his backpack and offered it to you. It was used, Cheryl noted, being half empty but it was a dire circumstance. You rinsed out your mouth and leaned again him, giving him your weight. “I think you have a fever. You feel any better?”

“I feel disgusting and queasy and embarrassed and I never want to show my face to the River Vixens of you ever again,” you confessed. Sweet Pea shook his head.

“Nah. That’s okay. You don’t need to do that. I’d miss your face.” Despite being disgusting and ill, you smiled at him. Cheryl felt her heart swell. It was so awkwardly cute. “I uh - I guess I’m trying to say that I don’t really care about my grades but I’ve been studying with you a lot. Like, I’ve been passing math for weeks and I’m still asking for your help. You know?”

“So you weren’t just in it for your love of learning,” you teased. Then your smile faltered and you brought your hand to your stomach. “I don’t know how I’m going to walk home. Ugh. I’m gonna lose it on the Cooper’s lawn.”

“I’ll drive you. Your mom gonna be home?” You shook your head. Your mother was rarely ever home. Often staying at the studio until 10 PM or later. It allowed you a lot of sleepovers but Cheryl knew you were often lonely, especially when you were sick. And Cheryl had been spending most of her time with Toni lately. “We’ll stop at the drugstore and I’ll grab a few things. I got you, okay?”

Sweet Pea wrapped his arm around your shoulder and guided you away from the foul-smell bin. Cheryl returned to her squad and grabbed her phone from her bag off the bench - she was the only one allowed to have her phone on them at rehearsal. Toni was leading the girls into a much smoother looking routine. “Ladies! I knew you had it in you. You are the Vixens I knew you could be. Take 5 - Nay, take 10. Then we’ll run it from the top and I’ll let you watch my solo.”

Cheryl joined Toni and wrapped her arms around her and kissed the top of her head. Toni hugged her tightly. When she pulled back, she asked “How’s our girl? You two make up?”

“Let’s just say, you’re much more intuitive and smart than the world gives you credit for. Mi amour, you deserve all the credit in the world.”

Cheryl kissed Toni firmly before pulling out her phone and texting you three words.