Tag List: @isaaclahys @sgtbuckyybarnes @kcnobls @pinacoladaranger @foxesandmagic @witchofinterest @psychchesters
Archie woke up tot eh sound of Gabby’s laughter, prompting him to lift his head from his textbook. Drool marred the pages and he was sure he had some of the print on his face. He rubbed at his cheek, hoping all signs of his fatigue went away.
She leaned over the rickety dining table of Pops’ Choc-O-Lit shop, her eyes flashing with amusement. “You looked like you were having a good time,” she remarked. “I didn’t want to wake you.” Her dimples carved into her cheeks as she smiled wider.
Archie smiled back, pushing himself back into a seated position, glanced around the shop. Still not a soul around. Still the only two in the universe for as long as they’d get the time to themselves. “Sorry,” he apologized. “Just a little tired.”
“I noticed,” Gabby replied. She reached out, curling her fingers around his hand. Archie smiled and tightened his grasp on hers, gently spinning her charm bracelet around her wrist. Maybe the only moment that day to do so. “Did you pull another all nighter?”
“Uh.” Archie smiled sheepishly. Used his other hand to rub the back of his neck. “‘Not on homework. I was working on my music.” Gabby gently shook her head. “It’s really coming together.”
“You shouldn’t have to hide it. Your music is great, Archie.”
“Yeah, I, uh...I just need to get it perfect before anyone can hear it, you know?” Archie cleared his throat. Did his best to ignore the elephant in the room of keeping things a secret. Knew Gabby was doing the same as her eyes flickered toward the windows of Pops’ shop for the briefest of moments.
Gabby watched him for a long moment, her eyebrows rising. Then, finally, she leaned to the side and picked her purse up off the ground, carefully brushing off the bottom of the leather, examining it closely for any smudges or stains--making Archie chuckle lightly--then dug around inside. She pulled out a bottle of aspirin and motioned toward his glass of water. “Here, it’ll help with the headache.”
“I don’t have a headache, I’m just tired.”
“I’m sure between all the time you spend on your back getting knocked out at football practice is enough sleep for you,” She teased.
Archie laughed that time, long and loud. She was unable to keep the disinterest of football out of her tone, something quite different than the other popular girls of Riverdale High, who treated it like a Friday Night ritual. Archie would look for her in the stands, finding her to appear bored, but putting on the face that all those at the top of the social food chain had to. That it was the most interesting thing in the world.
Archie leaned across the table toward her, making Gabby smile, her dark cheeks reddening. If he were on her side of the booth, he’d put his arm around her shoulders, the sleeve of his letterman jacket settling over her smoothly, allowing her to lean into his so they could hold off the chill as fall settled over Riverdale. Their bodies would be pressed together for heat and the comfort of proximity as they silently said everything they couldn’t say when they were around their friends.
What would Cheryl say?
What would Betty say?
What would Jughead think?
But they had to be on the lookout, safely tucked on opposite sides of the booth, stealing glances toward the windows, wondering how much longer they truly had to be together.
“You’re safe now,” Gabby said in a low murmur. “I’ve got you.” She said it as a joke, he knew, she was tiny and could hardly keep Midge from knocking her down.
But the sentiment was there. At that, Archie completely relaxed, settling into the cushions behind him. Saw her relax in the same vein seconds before his mind wandered. Wondering what it would be like if they could be out in the open, but simultaneously enjoying what they had as well. A wicked grin spread across his face.
“What?” Gabby asked, noticing.
But Archie didn’t respond. Gabby shook her head, giggled quietly, seeming to know what he was thinking. Wanting it as much. To be truly alone, to be together, to be able to kiss and hold each other and not just hold hands. But they had to get some work done and as they always said...tension was palpable.
But then he saw her eyes shift and her face change. Felt her drop his hand before she slid from the booth, hitching her purse up her shoulder and grabbing her books, all in a whirlwind. Archie didn’t have to look to know who was coming close to Pops to recognize her change in reaction.
Cheryl always had a tight grip on her, he surmised.
Nevertheless, Gabby paused, grinned, leaned in and gave him a satisfying kiss, then backed away to another table, setting her purse aside and bringing up her phone, feigning she’d been taking photos of herself as Cheryl swept inside.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Cheryl declared once she spotted her best friend. “Come, come,” she snapped her fingers in the air. “We’ve got things to do and Pep Rallys to plan for.”
Archie watched surreptitiously as Gabby lowered her phone and asked, “How aren’t you pepped out, yet?”
“I’ll be all out of pep once we’re out of this hick town. But until graduation releases me from this prison and I can sew my wild oats out on the rest of the world, this is the biggest form of entertainment these plebs will get.” Cheryl looped her arm around Gabby’s shoulders, the same way Archie wished he could’ve done before--longed to do. “So lets go, bestie.”
“I’m coming.”
Gabby looped her arm around Cheryl’s waist and the two breezed out the door, giggling to each other. Gabby didn’t spare Archie a glance. He wasn’t offended, they needed to keep up appearances.
Besides, it was nice to have something to themselves.
A/N: This took me over three months to figure out how I was going to do it. I’m sooooo sorry it took me so long. But I hope you like it. Goes along with the gif! ;)
Tag List: @isaaclahys @sgtbuckyybarnes @billyshxrgrove @pinacoladaranger @foxesandmagic @witchofinterest
It was a rare day at Riverdale High where nothing was going on. Little to no drama. Sure, there was a little rumor of cheating--on a test and on romantic partners--here and there. But nothing more that would have the students or Riverdale racing to leave the quintessential city as the recovery of Jason Blossom’s body had warranted.
News about Jason had winded down as the police worked hard through the recent evidence of his disappearance and the finding of his body. Cheryl had even backed off the dramatics of her brother as the days went on, being very scarce around Riverdale High as the Blossoms tried to hold themselves high.
But it was that quiet day in Riverdale’s common room that kept everyone’s attention and in good spirits. It was one of the few times that the students of Riverdale High would get along, helping each other with their homework and generally getting along.
All except for Gabby. She sat in the corner of the common room, cheek resting in her palm, wondering why she was even at school that day. Or any day, rather. It hurt too much how quickly people were forgetting about Jason, how easily they could move on when it was something that’d completely floored her.
And then there was her so-called former best friend who...she didn’t want to think about it. Just as she didn’t want to hear the music that Reggie and Midge were playing from the Bluetooth speaker they set high in the corner of the common. It wasn’t too bad, but...was it selfish to be mad at how they were all moving on when she was drowning?
With a sigh, Gabby rested her chin in her hand, glancing around the room, doing her best not to look over a Archie, Jughead, and Betty as they studied at the table nearby. Of course they’d noticed each other when he came in, they always seemed to notice each other as of late, a quick glance toward and away from each other, memories of their fallout heavy on their minds.
Or, rather, heavy on Gabby’s mind. Archie seemed to move on quickly, she noted. Unable to keep the bitterness at bay. Gabby shook her head, flipping her books shut, rubbing her temples with her fingertips. A sigh of relief escaped her lips when the pulse pounding EDM music mellowed out into a smooth, slower tune that she immediately recognized as a song her father and mother both loved.
You'll remember me when the west wind moves upon the fields of barleyYou'll forget the sun in his jealous sky as we walk in fields of gold
It took a second for her to notice that a bit of a hush had gone over the room. And that another voice had quietly started to sing along with the song as it went on. She didn’t have to look to know it was Archie singing, his obsession with music and football had become legendary around school as well as his change in physical fortitude--even something she couldn’t miss.
But Gabby watched as Archie continued to sing quietly, but loud enough to feel comfortable, not seeming to notice the smiles he got from those around him. (Betty especially, who smiled dreamily, resting her chin in her hands, watching Archie closely as he sang).
So she took her love for to gaze awhile upon the fields of barleyIn his arms she fell as her hair came down among the fields of gold
Archie lfited his head from whatever homework he was finishing, erased waht was on his page, and continued to sing. He lifted his gaze, catching Ggabby’s eyes before she could force herself to look away. The corner of his mouth turned up, he continued to sing.
Will you stay with me, will you be my love among the fields of barley?We'll forget the sun in his jealous sky as we lie in fields of gold
Gabby blinked slowly, watching Archie as closely as he watched her, did her best to keep from allowing herself to fall into his dulcet tones, smiling warmly as they swirled around her. She gave in, unable to stop the smile, unable to let herself keep from feeling some sort of happiness in an otherwise gloomy day.
Many years have passed since those summer days among the fields of barleySee the children run as the sun goes down among the fields of goldYou'll remember me when the west wind moves upon the fields of barleyYou can tell the sun in his jealous sky when we walked in fields of goldWhen we walked in fields of gold, when we walked in fields of gold.
The music switched back to another ear-splitting 80bpm song that broke whatever trance Archie had over the roo, and the conversation became raucous once more.
Archie smiled at Gabby.
Gabby smiled back before gathering her things together and leaving the room.
The moment was over...but it was nice while it lasted.
Gabby hobbled to the front door when she heard a knock,quietly muttering curses of the length of her large house under her breath asshe went. Why did they have to have such a big space? And no access fordisabilities? It wasn’t like she was in a wheelchair, she wasn’t that heartless, but man did their work tokeep up appearances become a big hindrance.
She should’ve taken up Cheryl’s offer on using her butler. Nothingwas better than having to not wince from pain every time she even thought aboutgetting up. She couldn’t even do her hair or makeup; the pain was that bad. And it wasn’t just the painthat threw her off, but the fear that they’d come back. To finish off the job,to keep her from squealing or whatever dumbass thing the Serpents came up withto help themselves sleep better at night.
She could still hear their panicked cries.
“Oh, shit!”
“It’s the wrong girl!”
“We have to get out ofhere!”
And the next thing Gabby knew she was being wheeled into thehospital. She should’ve swallowed her pride and stayed in the hospital, atleast she had people helping her out. Her dad continued to go to work.
How messed up was that?
There was another knock on the door.
“I’m coming!” Gabby said, stamping her crutches on the floorto add to her statement. She made it to the door, transferred her crutches toone hand, and pulled open the door. “What?” She snapped.
Archie looked surprised, just for a second, then his lipspulled back into a smile. “Good to see you’re getting back to yourself,” heremarked, prompting Gabby to roll her eyes. “It was actually a little scary tosee you so happy.”
“I was on drugs.” Her face screwed up. “Like, super heavy-dutypain killers.”
“I know, it was funny.” His smile grew wider. “I literally haven’tseen you so happy.”
Gabby rolled her eyes. She leaned back, holding her weightup against the doorframe, already feeling tired from holding her foot elevatedfrom the floor for so long. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see how you were doing.”
His response was so genuine that it made Gabby’s eyes widen.She looked at him, eyebrows forming a wrinkle in the skin in-between them. Shecould practically hear Cheryl berating her for it. Reminding her that wrinkleswere the first sign you were damaged goods. Mentally, Gabby sneered. They weren’tspeaking anymore, and Cheryl still managed to run her life.
If it hadn’t been for Cheryl, maybe she and Archie…
Gabby cleared her throat, lifted her hand to scratch at herhairline. “I’m doing fine.”
“I can see that.” Archie nodded toward her. “I broke my legonce. Couldn’t put any weight on it for months.” He looked at her closely. “Youlook like you’re in a lot of pain.”
Was it still that easy for him to see through her? She wassupposed to be strong, she wasn’t supposed to be vulnerable, easy to read, easyto…Gabby shook her head. Wouldn’t allow herself to finish the thought. “I’mfine.” She moved to prove it, wobbled, nearly fell over.
Archie transferred the plastic bag in right left hand to hisright and grasped her arm, pulling her back up. “Okay, come on.” He stepped insidethe house. He held her arm tighter, pivoting her around so that he could leadher through the house.
Gabby directed him to the backyard, where she’d been lyingon one of the pool chairs, getting some fresh air since she was put in thehospital. She still held his hand when he gently set her down, then stretchedout. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Archie grabbed a chair beside her anddragged it to her side. He sat on it, setting his bag on the ground.
Gabby watched as he did so, silently wondering what it wasthat had him there. That he’d heard what happened and truly wanted to see howshe was? Or that he was feeling guilty for having some part in it…which was alsopartially her fault, which was partially his fault and….
It was a mess.
“I tried to see you in the hospital but your dad said youdidn’t want any visitors,” Archie said, answering her unasked question. “Is itthat you didn’t want any visitors or you didn’t want to see me?”
“Archie, I hardly let my own dad see me with a bare face.”She gestured in a circle around her makeup free skin. “What makes you think I’dwant anyone to see me in thehospital?” Especially with how bad Ilooked, she thought, but didn’t add that part out loud.
Archie chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” But he still smiled, ln that way that only ArchieAndrews could, that proved he didn’t care too much of what other people thoughtof him let alone, let it determine how he thought of other people. “I justthought you might be hungry.” He unwrapped the bag to reveal graham crackers,marshmallows, and chocolate.
Almost immediately, Gabby’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I love S’mores!”she couldn’t help but squeal.
“I know,” Archie agreed quietly. He leveled his gaze at her.“Remember? After the football games?”
Gabby nodded. How could she forget? The Blossoms always hada rager of a party after the home games of the seasons. The biggest being afterthe first and last. The only time Thornhill Mansion was filled with teens and withouta Penelope or Clifford in sight, making it so that they could relax and havefun. With the fire pits in the backyard raging and everyone standing around;the football players rehashing their winning plays, the River Vixens working onnew routines, the Pussycats performing, and everyone else having a ball.
She and Archie—who somehow managed to be invited to theparties, probably by Reggie—almost always seemed to find themselves the lastones at the fire pit. Gabby for her well known and raging sweet tooth andArchie…because no one else wanted to let him into the ‘inner circle’ so tospeak.
Cheryl certainly made sure of that.
He handed her the chocolate, graham crackers, andmarshmallows. Gabby stared at them for a moment, twisting her hand back andforth. “Uh, I don’t know if you’ve forgotten, but I kinda need fire to makethese.”
Archie gave her a look. “You think I was going to make youget up and make them?” He grinned, retrieving a poker from the bag. “I’m yourservant for the day.”
Gabby lowered her gaze. “You don’t’ have to do that.”
“I want to.”
“After the way I treated you? I don’t deserve—”
Archie couched in front of her, placing his hand on herwrist. Gabby lifted her gaze, just a little, to see nothing but kindness in hiseyes. “Gabby, I want to,” herepeated. “Okay?” She nodded. He nodded back and stood once more, moving acrossthe deck to start up the fire pit.
Gabby leaned back against the headrest, watching him. Shedidn’t get him. But maybe that was the point. No one really got Archie Andrewsbecause no one tried. He was someone who people didn’t see, didn’t want to see. Ignored at the worst,ridiculed at the best, all because he was so…Archie. He cared more about otherpeople than they cared about him, and no matter what people would say abouthim, or do to bully him, he’d still greet everyone with a smile. Still knew howto have a kind heart.
Still, for some reason, cared about her.
Even after how badly, how easily she abandoned him. Allbecause she cared more about her friendship with Cheryl which…wasn’t even afriendship anymore. Was that bad? That she cared more about her friendship thana possible relationship? Or, which was worse, that she hurt herself form allsides because she was used to it? Used to people abandoning her.
Wasn’t so used to people being so close.
Had to get rid of it as soon as she could.
Had to…hurt other people before they could hurt her.
“We should do this again,” Archie said. His voice was quiet buttook Gabby out of her thoughts an hour later. His voice was quiet but there wasa confidence in his tone that Gabby had never heard before. He lifted hishands, gesturing toward the woods. “We’ve got the whole summer.”
Gabby smiled and nodded. “Sounds like a plan.” She followedhis movement, instead gesturing toward herself and her broken leg. “It’s notlike I’m going anywhere anytime soon.”
“I’ll come back tomorrow.”
But Archie didn’t come back.
He didn’t visit her all summer.
And the next thing she knew, Jason Blossom was dead.
Tag List: @siriussblackx @isaaclahys @jessicascla @hennigshelleys
“Okay, so with this dress…” Midge pushed her magazine across the lunch table, pointing to a low-cut champagne colored dress the model sported, seductively glancing over her shoulder as she twisted her body toward the photographer. “I’m thinking if I pull up the hem a little bit, I’ll be able to keep from tripping all night.”
Cheryl lifted her eyebrows, taking a quick glance over the page. She leaned back, shaking her head in disinterest. “And what will you do to keep your dear old mother from having a heart attack?”
Midge shrugged and exchanged smiles with the rest of the River Vixens. “Nothing, that’s the point,” she said and started to giggle. Gabby laughed along with them. Midge’s lips pulled back into a smirk as she added, “And, of course, I’m sure Moose will love it.”
“Moose will love it off you more than on you,” Gabby teased. She nodded toward the turtleneck that Midge almost exclusively wore, even under the River Vixens uniform she wore that day, ready for the first football game of the season. “If that’s anything to go by.” Her smirk widened, and she pretended to cover her mouth as she said, “Rumor has it, Midge would’ve needed more to cover after spending some time with Moose at my party.” Her eyebrows twitched upwards. “I didn’t know Moose’s could make that sound.”
Midge batted her eyelashes as the girls around them started to squeal at the scandalous news. She placed a hand to her chest and said, “I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Believe me, there was more than kissing going on,” Gabby said. She looked to Cheryl, who looked back at her with rapt attention, spurring her forward. “And I found the evidence. I’m just glad it wasn’t my dad who found it. Or else he would’ve made good on his threat and taken a gun to Chuck’s head.”
“At least Chuck would be getting some action,” Cheryl said. She heaved a fake sigh, closing her own magazine and pressing it to the table top of the outdoor cafeteria. “I feel sorry for him, really. A man can only go so long without getting something before he gets bored.”
Gabby rolled her eyes. “Believe me, the last thing Chuck gets is bored. He’ll find someone else to take care of him when he needs it.”
Cheryl’s eyes flashed, her lips curling with mischief. Gabby braced herself, knowing what was coming next. Frustration rolled through her stomach, knowing she set herself up for the embarrassment that was seconds away from coming. So much so that when Cheryl parted her lips, Gabby simply put on the blank look she’d perfected over the years.
“Gabriella Rush, are you saying you’re a virgin?” She asked.
Gabby was aware of the curious looks Midge, Tina, Ginger, and the other River Vixens were sending her way, looking her up and down as she did so. Gabby glared at Cheryl then, who simply tossed her hair over her shoulder and continued to smile. Not that it was anyone else’s business, but Cheryl knew Gabby was a virgin. Not that Chuck hadn’t tried to hook up before, though backed off every time Gabby said so. He’d tried to pressure her once and stopped the second Gabby whipped him around and put him in a headlock.
It worked then, Chuck had been a scrawny thing before bulking up for the football team. Now, she was sure he’d be able to pin her down with ease, no matter how well she knew how to defend herself. Her mother had beaten it into her head, “It doesn’t matter how well you know how to defend yourself, a man is always going to be stronger than you. You have to be careful of the situations you put yourself in.”
And Gabby had nodded earnestly, wanting to soak in everything her mother said before she was deployed once more. Not that she thought she’d be attacked or anything, she spent too much time with Jason and Cheryl to have to worry about it. Not like she’d have to if she were on the Southside.
“Well, we know you’re not a virgin, Cheryl,” Gabby shot back. She noticed Cheryl’s eyes squint ever so slightly. She was going to get it later. But she had no patience for Cheryl’s teasing that day. Not when Cheryl had already been putting the others down so much for a simple dress choice. And that was just a dress. Anything more serious, like whether Gabby had had sex, was an off-limits topic she wouldn’t even bring up with her mom. “Or else that trail of broken hearts behind you is because you’re a prude.”
“If there’s anything a Blossom isn’t, it’s a prude.” Cheryl made a show of winking to the girls, making them all laugh. Gabby waited for a second, ensuring Cheryl wasn’t in fact angry at her, before making an expression that betrayed the knowing smile she had in her head, making the girls shriek with laughter. “The Blossom family make it a point to spread their wild oats to continue the famous and pure bloodline that would continue to ensure the sanctity of Riverdale.”
“So, should we nominate you for student body president now or do you want to come up with another campaign speech?” Ginger teased.
Cheryl pursed her lips, tapping her finger against them. Gabby groaned, shaking her head. “Oh God, Ginger, you started something. Next thing you know, she’s going to give us a uniform where the rest of us have to dress like her or get kicked out of school.”
Ginger then sent Gabby a snooty look, her upper lip curling into a sneer. “Don’t you already do that?”
In response, Gabby curled her lip, in an expression similar to Ginger’s—and Tina who sat next to Ginger—but with bared teeth. She didn’t make the expression a lot, Cheryl had immediately shut her down from doing it when she was frustrated with a bad volleyball practice, but had to throw it out when she needed to make a point. Ginger took one look at her face and immediately lowered her gaze to her tray.
Nevertheless, Gabby couldn’t help but snottily add, “At least I don’t follow Cheryl around like a dog, jumping at the chance literally kiss her ass,” she hissed. She leaned toward Ginger and Tina, “Or is that the part you enjoy? Kissing her ass? Are you jealous of the amount of time we spend together? Do you have a thing for Cheryl?”
Midge let out a nervous laugh. “Come on, guys, we’re supposed to be talking about homecoming remember? Are we meeting up at Thornhill or just meet there?” She picked up her magazine and buried her face into it. Her eyes peeking over the top, lined with her long lashes, broke the tension and made the girls laugh.
Gabby tucked her hair behind her ears and shifted on the bench, clearing her throat. She stretched her legs out, being careful to keep her heels from sticking in the grass. “We can meet at my place—“she started.
Cheryl immediately interrupted. “No, we’re meeting at Thornhill. Jason and the rest of his football buddies are going to get ready there and mom already has everything set up.”
She dropped her hand to her lap where, beneath the table, she twisted her fingers together. Gabby gently nudged Cheryl with her shoulder, giving her a reassuring look. Cheryl lowered her head and smiled softly in response. It didn’t matter what they planned, Penelope and Clifford already had their plans set up for homecoming.
Especially if it was going to be as big as the year before. The Blossoms certainly made homecoming a dance to remember with the money they put into decorations, transportation, and entertainment in exchange for their name on the dance and the ticket fee for the dance going to the Blossom Maple Syrup company. Gabby wasn’t exactly sure how that managed to work out, but it had been a good dance from what they’d seen.
Jason and Polly had gone together and were, of course, named Homecoming King and Queen despite a good race from the seniors. Chances are they’ll be named King and Queen again this year. That is, if people don’t find out she’s pregnant, Gabby thought. Who would want a pregnant teen as Homecoming Queen?
Almost immediately she felt guilty over the thought. Jason was her best friend and he and Polly had been fairly nominated the year before. Unlike Cheryl, he had a lot of people who were actually his friends, not afraid of him. Enough support to have people want to nominate him for the role. Cheryl on the other hand…Gabby look at her other best friend out the corner of her eye. She wasn’t quite sure what Cheryl would do to make sure she got the title as well. Something she was sure Cheryl was already conspiring for. If she became Queen—the King didn’t matter—then she’d finally have something in her mother’s eyes that was coveted.
Something she strived hard for and always failed at.
“But that’s alright,” Cheryl continued, perking up once more. “That just means we can have the best party to get ready for the dance!” She threw her arm around Gabby’s shoulders, pressing a kiss to her cheek that made Gabby laugh. “It already takes hours to look this fabulous, imagine how long it’ll take to get ready for a dance.”
“Especially with how often she changes her mind,” Gabby murmured, brushing her hand over Cheryl’s shoulder. “How many dresses have you bought and returned so far? Five.”
“Seven,” Cheryl said quickly. “None of them have the exact shade of red I need. I’m thinking of going to New York and see what the shops there can do for me. If Hiram Lodge can practically buy out 5th Avenue, then imagine what they can do for me.” She grasped Gabby’s arm and batted her eyelashes. “Will you go with me? Please? Pretty please? I can’t go without my lovely best friend.”
Ginger smirked, pressed her lips together, then gently spread them, making a sucking sound. Gabby gave her the stink eye in response, pulling her hand up to give her the finger, but Cheryl immediately swatted her hand away.
“Honestly, don’t be so uncouth,” she scolded her friends. “We’re having a party and all of you are invited. Stop acting like children.” She took another discarded magazine from the middle of table. “Speaking of parties, you should’ve seen what happened to Gabby’s house. How long did it take for the construction company to finish everything?”
“Long enough,” Gabby murmured, looking away from her friend.
After Cheryl had interrupted hers and Archie’s conversation to taunt the redhead, she and Cheryl had gone back to her room to watch TV all the while the sounds of construction filled the house. Every now and then Gabby would go down to check the status of the construction as her father asked.
She’d give a quick note every now and then but otherwise stayed quiet. She ignored Jughead every time he came near her, just as she did to him. There was nothing to say to each other when they were outside of school, no snarky ammunition for him to make a sanctimonious and pretentious comment on. He simply kept his head low and did whatever Fred Andrews asked him to do.
Archie on the other hand, seemed to look at her nearly every time her gaze was drawn to him. She hated how easily she did it, too. Because every time she did, he’d give a small smile back at her, a smile so contagious she couldn’t help but smile back. Seconds before remembering that Cheryl was there and she’d practically turn pale, looking away again.
An even more vicious cycle than thinking of her mom, feeling the pain of missing her so much, then acting like nothing was out of the ordinary until her mother was far from her mind, ready to wiggle back to the forefront at even the slightest mention of her.
The fact that she liked Archie wasn’t the problem, the fact that she couldn’t do anything about it wasn’t really a problem. The fact that Cheryl and the rest of Riverdale High would never let her forget it if it ever got out. The social hierarchy—as ludicrous as it was—couldn’t be ignored. Especially when that hierarchy wasn’t regulated to the high school but to Riverdale as a whole.
“They were still working by the time I left,” Cheryl said. She eyed Gabby closely. “Must’ve been a long time, the bags under he eyes look even worse today than they did before.” She moved to take her compact mirror from her purse. “See for yourself?”
Gabby held up her hand, ignoring the sting of embarrassment as Ginger and Tina giggled quietly behind their hands. “I already got the horror show when I woke up this morning,” she joked lightly. Nevertheless, she didn’t want to know what else Cheryl could come up with and stood. “’I’ve got a volleyball meeting to go to, I’ll see you later.”
“Tootles.” Cheryl waved her fingers toward Gabby. “I’ll be sure to let you know what you miss.” Her eyebrows twitched upwards. “Especially if these bitches still can’t figure out the dresses they want to wear to the dance. I need to give ultimate approval by the end of the week.”
Gabby tapped Cheryl on the top of the head. “Hey Cherry, you’re still forgetting that we need dates.”
Cheryl smiled but kept her eyes on her other friends. Gabby chewed her lower lip, suddenly worried she’d said something wrong enough to be stonewalled like that. But Cheryl said, “That’s the last thing we need to worry about Gabs. Right now, we need to focus on looking good.”
Gabby shrugged and stood, moving to take her tray inside to return it to the bin. She nearly crashed into Reggie on the way there, turning the corner, with his hand up by his face. He jumped backward, startled when he noticed her, and feigned running a hand through his hair.
“Gabs, hey, I didn’t see you there,” he said. Then he held out his hand, gently patting her atop her head. “Sorry about that, you have to get a bell or something so we can see you.”
She slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch the hair,” She remarked. “Do you know how long I have to sit in the salon chair to make this look good?” She smoothed her hair back into place then got a good look at his face, noticing his scratching at his eyebrow. Her shoulders slumped. “Did it happen again?” She asked.
Reggie looked at her and forced out a laugh. “This?” He motioned to the dark bruise around his eye. “No, that’s nothing! I just got hit with a football during practice!”
“Aren’t you supposed to wear a helmet?”
“You know how Moose gets. Once you get him going, he can’t stop. Like a bulldozer!” He thumped himself on the chest and winced, rubbing his sternum. “Those Southside creeps won’t know what hit em’.” With that, he side-stepped Gabby and went down the hallway at a quick stride. She watched him over her shoulder as he went, frowning.
There were many open secrets in Riverdale; the divide between those who were for Mayor McCoy’s run for re-election and those against, those thinking Mrs. McCoy spent too much time trying to make Josie bigger than she was, how nearly everyone in the city hated the Blossoms, how the Southside was filled with druggies and girls becoming pregnant in their teens, how the Northside had their own fair share of darkness. And the worst of them all was how easily those in the Northside could hide things in plain sight.
Gabby turned back to the tray return, sliding her tray inside, being sure to keep from chipping the new color of polish she’d put on with Cheryl to pass the time as construction went on. She turned it her way, making a ‘tsk’ sound with her tongue when she noticed there was already a small chip. Well, a quick trip to the nail salon after school wasn’t out of the question.
It’d be a good way to have some time alone for once.
“Some people are afraid of you.” Startled, Gabby lifted her chin and saw Archie standing in front of her, looking at her curiously. Gabby lifted her eyebrows, offended. She parted her lips and started to shoot out a rapid-fire response but Archie beat her to it. “You asked me what people thought of you; some people are afraid of you.”
Oh. That. “And, you’re not?” She asked. Archie tilted his head. “I asked what you thought of me, not what everyone else thinks. I know other people hate me.”
“They don’t hate you, they hate Cheryl.” That didn’t surprise her in the slightest. There was a reason Jason was the more popular Blossom twin. Archie smiled awkwardly, taking a step back. He looked toward his feet, tugging down the bottom of his shirt, as if to hide himself. “But Black Cherry is attached at the hip so…” he cleared his throat. “No one really gets the chance to get to know you.”
Gabby shrugged. “There’s not much to know.”
“I don’t believe that. There’s always something to know about someone.”
“Well, aren’t you the Boy Scout. Ready to have some of your meetings out the back of your pedo van?” Her words were biting but her tone didn’t hold the same sort of venom it normally would have if Cheryl were next to her. As it was, she felt a little off-kilter with Cheryl not beside her. With Archie there instead. She was trying to be herself, but even she didn’t know who she was.
Archie gave a humorless smile. He turned his head away, looking at her out the corner of his eye. “You don’t really know what to say without Cheryl in your ear, huh?”
Hit the nail on the head, Gabby thought. She, normally, wouldn’t have the guts to say something so polarizing without Cheryl there to give her some of her invisible strength. But with so many other people milling around…Gabby shook her head, feeling her lips pull back into a smile. “You’re a lot smarter than you look.”
“Well, I am tutoring you,” he replied easily, teasingly. Gabby laughed quietly. If only he knew. Archie smiled back. Then, again, he cleared his throat awkwardly, pulling the bottom of his shirt down. “I guess I’ll see you later. Betty and Jughead are waiting for me.”
She nodded and watched him walk away for moment. “I’ll meet you in the library,” she said. “Later today.” Archie paused, looked back at her, smiled, nodded, and continued toward the cafeteria.
Gabby’s skin tingled the moment Jason’s hands landed on her shoulders, enticingly dragging down to her wrists. She wasn’t sure how she knew it was Jason but could tell the moment he leaned over her shoulder.
Or maybe, intuitively, she knew from the way Archie glanced at her from across the hall, his eyebrows rising, dark eyes shifting over her face before moving just to the left. From the way they flickered downward for a second before he lifted his chin and gave a nod, backing slightly out of the lunch line, turning his attention to whatever Betty was telling him.
Jason’s breath tickled in her ear, making butterflies erupt in a fiery volcano of, of what—guilt?—as he whispered, “Can you keep a secret?”
Whatever a Blossom wants, a Blossom gets,” Gabby thought.
She was really starting to hate that.
-
A/N: Thank you, Vince and Rois, for the kick in the pants I needed to get back into writing this story. Not that I’ve forgotten about it, but that it wasn’t my current focus when it came to my fics. So, thank you for your reviews, I hope this one is received as well as the others have been.
Also, you wanted some more of Reggie, well, you’ve got that and Midge and some of the River Vixens. And, of course, Archie and Gabby. I hope you all enjoyed despite the wait! There’s some more revelations that tie into season 1 coming up!
Ugh, as much as I already love Archabby, I’m interested in JasonxGabby, too.
I don't want to be like Cinderella
Sittin' in a dark cold dusty cellar
Waitin' for somebody to come and set me free
I don't want to be like someone waiting
For a handsome prince to come and save me
Oh I will survive
Unless somebody's on my sideDon't want to be no no no one else
I'd rather rescue myself
Gabby’s skin tingled the moment she felt Jason’s hands landed on her shoulders, enticingly dragging down to her wrists. She wasn’t sure how she knew it was Jason, but could tell the moment he leaned over her shoulder.
Or maybe, intuitively, she knew from the way Archie glanced at her from across the hall, his eyebrows rising, dark eyes shifting over her face before moving just to the left. From the way his eyes flickered downward for a second before he lifted his chin and gave a nod, backing away from his locker, paying attention to whatever Reggie was telling him.
Jason’s breath tickled her ear, making the butterflies erupt in a fiery volcano of guilt as he whispered, “Can you keep a secret?”
The War At Home // Sneak Peek // Sequel to We Were Merely Freshmen
“If you’re trying to get my attention, getting beat up by football players isn’t the way to go.”
Archie looked up, eyebrows twitching when he spotted Gabby. She tilted her head, folding her arms across her chest.
“How’d you know I was here?” He asked.
At that, Gabby made a face. “Where else would you go? I don’t think many people can take that many hits from football and walk it off. You’re not Superman.” Her eyes roved over his face. “Then again, you don’t like to have people think you’re weak so...empty office, away from prying eyes...not too weird.”
“Okay,” Archie conceded her point. “But the principal’s office?” He waved a hand around. Not the pricipal’s office, not really. The waiting area just before it. He looked at her with the unasked question, why would he choose there if there were a hundred other places in the school he could go for some uninterrupted time; places they’d found on their own?
“Who would ever think that Archie Andrews would ever get in trouble?”
Gabby’s response was dry, another point Archie couldn’t dispute. The last time he’d ended up in the principal’s office, when he’d been trying to defend Jughead from some of the football team he was there with an incredulous expression and a shrug, spotless while all the others had scuffs, scrapes, and bruises from the punches Jughead had thrown while Archie tried to talk them down.
What struck him was how easily Gabby had found him. He was sure Betty and Jughead were looking for him, after seeing how badly he’d been from Reggie’s tackle. He hadn’t wanted to leave the field, Coach Clayton insisted. He wanted to turn around and tackle Reggie in return, run Chuck down the field, knock through the brick that was Moose to prove he really knew what he was doing.
He wanted to be on that team.
“There’s a first time for everything,” Archie finally replied.
He lifted his gaze to Gabby, seeing something flicker in them before it was gone. He got to her, he knew it. He knew she understood the meaning behind his words, knew she remembered the first time he said it to her.
When she’d clutched his hand, shaking with anticipation at what they were to do, finding the secret they kept from their friends even more exciting than anything they’d ever experienced up to that point. Where they’d certainly incur the wrath of his father if they were to find out of their skipping class for some stupid teenage fun.
But if he were to find that out, it’d bring up why Gabby was with him. Which would bring up the tutoring. Which would bring up what was really going on when they were studying. Which would bring up...everything else.
Archie lowered his gaze, feeling guilt settle at the pit of his stomach. Knowing that what he was doing with Grundy, what he’d waited for all summer...
“Whatever you say, Andrews.” Gabby moved to leave. She stopped at the door, resting her fingers across the frame, her palm pressed into the door jamb. “But you’ve always been a terrible liar.”
Archie’s chuckles subsided into a serene smile.
Gabby smiled back a conspiratory smile with a wink thrown in before she slipped from the door and disappearing from sight.
It was the nicest she’d been to him in a long time.
