You could feel the heated gaze burning into the back of your head. Your sentence petering off into a low mumble as you turn your head in the direction it was coming from. Feeling your brow furrow at the sight of your girlfriend being the source of such a heated look.
Of course, you knew that Cheryl was like fire incarnate. That she burned with such an intensity many were surprised that you hadn’t gotten scorched from being so close to her, but you didn’t see her that way. When others saw a raging wildfire you saw a calming hearth fire-- something that reminded you of home no matter where you were. When others were lashed with her fiery tongue and her burning words, you were cradled by the warmth of her affection and the loving glow in her eyes when she saw you. You were the only one that had been able to combat the spitfire that was Cheryl Marjorie Blossom.
Which is why you were surprised that you were on the receiving end of one of her infamous glares. Her beautiful brown eyes shining with an emotion you couldn’t quite decipher from the distance between you, but you knew for certain that it wasn’t one many would want to see. Her full lips were pressed into a thin line, a clear show of her displeasure if it wasn’t also for the added bonus of her own furrowed brow. It was a sight that proved to you that something was bothering your girlfriend, and you were going to find out what-- as soon as you finished with your conversation.
Turning your head, you smile at the sight of confused blue eyes. Betty Cooper had been your best friend since kindergarten-- the bond of being cubby buddies could never be broken after all. You watch as Betty’s gaze moves to just above your shoulder, her brow furrowing in thought at what she sees.
“Is everything alright with her?” Betty asks, her eyes once again meeting yours but the confused look stays. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look that angry at you before.”
You shrug. “I don’t have any idea what could have caused Cheryl such distress, but I am going to her house after school today so I hope I find out what’s wrong when I’m there.”
Blue eyes narrow in thought. “Just be careful, alright?” Betty replies, stepping closer to you with a gentle smile. Her hand coming up to grip your bicep with a surprisingly strong hold. “You know how Cheryl can get.”
“Betty,” you sigh, your own hand taking Betty’s in a reassuring embrace. “I know you don’t believe me when I say that Cheryl is as harmless as a teddy bear with me, but I swear to you she is. No matter how angry she gets she would never dream of harming me. Nor would she ever forgive herself if she ever accidentally did.” You nudge your best friend with an easy-going smile. “Trust me, please.”
At the sight of your smile, Betty seems to slacken with her own smile appearing once again. Her words coming out in a low whisper. “I trust you with my life.”
Grinning, you pull Betty into a tight hug. Your nose nuzzling into the familiar blonde locks. “And I trust you with mine, Betts,” you whisper. “Now you need to trust Cheryl with it too.”
----------------------------------------------
“Cheryl, what’s wrong,” you call after the retreating form of your favorite red-head. You weren’t surprised when she didn’t respond to you-- simply continuing her trek towards her room. Sighing, you follow your girlfriend and hope that once she’s in the confines of a place that makes her feel comfortable, away from prying eyes, she’ll let down her walls and let you in.
You wince at the sound of a slamming door. Your worry only growing because of it-- Cheryl never slammed doors when she knew you were following her. She always left them open because she never wanted you to feel like she was locking you out. That she was shutting herself away from you.
A breath of relief passing through your lips as you try her door and it’s unlocked, which means she still wants you in her presence. That she hadn’t locked you out completely which was something you were eternally grateful for.
Opening the door, you cautiously enter the room. Your eyes falling to the beautiful figure of your girlfriend on the edge of her bed-- her head bowed with her long hair acting as a curtain between you and the face you adored more than anything else. Without another moment of hesitation, you move towards her. Making sure that you make just enough noise as to not startle her when you finally kneel in front of her-- your hand resting gently on her knee.
“Cher,” you begin in a soft whisper. “Do you want to tell me what’s been bothering you all day?”
Her body stiffens for a moment because of the question, but at your continued presence, she slowly relaxes. A small sigh being the only thing she emits for a moment. Though after a short pause she raises her head and you’re met with the beautiful brown eyes that you adore.
You smile. “There’s my pretty girl.”
Your smile only grows at the slight blush that dusts her cheeks because of your words, but it soon falls away when you see the clear conflict shining in her gaze. Raising your hand, you caress her cheek and have to fight off the smile that’s pulling at your lips when she leans into your touch.
“What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours?”
A small chuckle leaves her lips. “Nothing good.”
“What do you mean?” You gently prod once you realized she wasn’t going to continue speaking. “If you tell me about it maybe I can make it better.”
You watch as Cheryl shifts, a move you easily recognize as her being uncomfortable, which causes a small frown to pull your brow down. You refrain from saying anything else though because you know this is something Cheryl has to decide by herself. That it wasn’t something you could just rush towards. The silence settling between the both of you like static-- buzzing all around, a constant presence, but neither of you doing anything to stop its pull. You simply rest on your haunches and watch as Cheryl’s mind works over the words she wants to say.
After another couple of moments of silence, your patience finally pays off. Cheryl’s brown eyes soon meet your own gaze with emotions you could now decipher-- the largest being insecurity. Without thinking you take Cheryl’s hand into your own and give it a gentle squeeze. You needed to show Cheryl that you were there for her no matter what and that nothing would ever change that.
“Babe, what’s wrong?”
“You’re going to think it’s stupid,” Cheryl mutters, her head dipping in embarrassment. With practiced ease you bring your fingers underneath Cheryl’s chin and tilt her head back up-- your gaze imploring as you stare into the most beautiful eyes you had ever seen.
“Cher, there is nothing in this world that would ever make me think that your feelings are stupid,” you reply, with complete conviction in your tone. “Your emotions aren’t stupid, Cher, they’re not something that I will ever laugh at or patronize. So, please, tell me what has caused you such stress today.”
A frown furrows her brow, but she responds nonetheless. “Betty.”
Confusion flashes across your face. “Betty?” you ask. “What did Betty do that made you so upset today? Did she sit in your favorite spot in math again?”
“As if,” Cheryl scoffs, rolling her eyes for added measure. “I wouldn’t get that pissy if wannabe Barbie sat in my seat.”
A small smile pulls at your lips. “Babe, you once started a full out war in lunch one day because a freshman decided to sit next to me.”
Her eyes narrow at that. “That’s different.”
“How?”
“No one sits next to my baby except for me,” she replies simply.
Chuckling, you shake your head with fondness beginning to settle on your face. “So if it wasn’t the seat what did Betty do that caused you to make your Vixens actually tremble in fear as you passed them.”
A red hue begins to make its way across Cheryl’s face-- the sudden shyness causing your eyes to widen. However, your smile stays firmly in place as you watch your girlfriend try to figure out what to say.
When Cheryl does speak again you almost missed it because of how softly she spoke. Her words barely being able to be classified as a whisper. “She was flirting with you.”
You frown. “Come again?”
Cheryl glares at you but, unlike before, it has no real heat behind it. “She was flirting with you.”
“Betty?” You repeat. “The same Betty that used to steal my cookies at naptime? The one who I’ve known since I learned the alphabet?”
“Yes.”
A short laugh erupts from your mouth at the very notion. “Cher, I don’t think Betty was flirting with me. We’ve always been touchy-feely because that’s just how we are with one another. I promise you it’s nothing more than that.”
“Maybe to you, babe, but not to her,” Cheryl replies, her gaze gaining heat the longer you discussed Betty. “My dear cousin thinks that she can take you from me, but she has another thing coming if she thinks I will let you go that easily.”
You shake your head at the very notion. “Cheryl there is no way that Betty Cooper has a crush on me. Doesn’t she have the biggest nerd crush on Jughead?”
Cheryl’s eyes harden. “Why would she settle for that hobo when she can have the goddess sitting before me? Jones is just someone that can tide her over before she can have the true prize.”
“Or she actually likes him, Cher.”
Cheryl simply stares at you for a moment, her brown eyes softening as she gazes at your earnest features. “Do you know one of the reasons I love you?”
She asks suddenly, her hand stroking your cheek as she does so.
“I have no idea, Cher.”
“Your belief in others,” she supplies. “That their intentions are pure and they don’t have any ulterior motives.” She lowers her head with a sigh. “Though this trait can be one of the most infuriating things about you as well. Your belief will get you hurt one day, my dearest one, and I don’t know if I could bear to see that once it does.”
Smiling, you grip Cheryl’s hand in your own. “You don’t have anything to worry about. I’m fine and so are you, but I want you to know that even if Betty has a crush on me it wouldn’t matter.”
“But you’re best friends,” Cheryl objects. “You have so much in common.”
You dip your head in acknowledgment of that. “We do,” you agree. “And I do love Betty but it will never be in the same way that I love you, Cher. I love you with my entire heart and soul. Nothing and no one could ever change that.” You shrug with a rueful smile quirking your lips. “I love you in more ways than I can count, but do you want to know the one that stands out the most to me?”
“What?” Cheryl asks with a warm smile beginning to form on her face.
“You’re my fire,” you begin. “You’re the flame that keeps me warm on even the coldest of nights. The light that shines bright on my darkest moments. You are the presence that keeps me safe no matter the scenario that I am in. Thinking of you, being with you, reminds me that no matter where I am I will always be home. People liken you to a wildfire, Cher, but they couldn’t be further from the truth.” You raise yourself up into a crouching position, so your face was level with hers. Your forehead pressing lightly against hers. “You are my hearth fire. You are the constant warm feeling that I always have in my chest. You are the person that I can go to with any problem because I know that you will always be there for me. You will always be the one that I can go to because you are my home.”
You watch as Cheryl’s beautiful smile causes her eyes to brighten. Her love shining brightly within her gaze and your own being reflected back.
Feeling her lips press against yours causes your eyes to flutter shut. Your heart singing with happiness at the presence of her. At the feeling of warmth and love that rushed through you because of her presence.
Being in her arms soothes you more than anything else ever could. So you knew that Cheryl would never have to worry about someone taking you from her. That she would never have to worry about Betty.
She was your hearth fire and you would never leave her.
Imbolc has a special meaning for me. It’s a time of joyful initiations and collaborating and guiding our student’s personal spiritual paths to magical intuitive experiences of renewal, self care and healing. The removal of blockages, negative thought patterns and false beliefs that would keep one from their personal goals and dreams. Imbolc reminds us that we must never forget our dreams, for…
