Valentina

Riverdale is known for its amazingly beautiful views and nature. The immense trees and various species of rocks, plants, flowers and animals bring many tourists and specialists to our small town every once in a while.

Once a year, my parents organize a treasure hunt near the river, and while the kids and teenagers eagerly search for their rewards, the adults dedicate their time to chatting with each other and blaming innocent people for their mistakes.

Like this one time my mother called me up to they rock where the adults sat. I remember that moment like it was yesterday.

You must keep in mind that my seven year old self wasn't as sharp and inquisitive as I am now. As a sophomore and a cheerleader, I have to be the perfect example for the younger- and sometimes older- citizens of our town. I used to be futile and stupid, I hated everyone who tried to come my way and tried hard to make others lives miserable.

Blame it on me, blame it on my parents for the bad influence and education they gave me at home, or blame the guy down the street that waved at me once and I ran back home because I was scared he was going to hurt me.

Moving on, this is not about my traumatic experiences as a kid. I would have to sit down and keep you here with me for a few more hours. As I was saying, I remember that day quite well, the vivid colors and smells still present in my mind, like an image I'll forever keep printed behind my eyes.

Riverdale. The river. Sweetwater River. That's where our story begins. And that's where our story ends. Everything starts and everything comes to an end by the river. 

I remember that day. It was windy and cold, the perfect November weather, not the best time of the year for a treasure hunt. Maybe I should have warned my mother of what could happen if the rocks were slippery and the waters too agitated and unsafe. We were walking around that area, four kids- Jason and Cheryl Blossom, Valentina and Viktor Adams- the best of friends, the fantastic four. They considered themselves as the biggest and best friends in the entire world. That nothing could set them apart. That the world would never be cruel to them and would let them be happy together.

All that happiness and joy was taken from the group- us, because I was there, being Valentina myself- as fast as a bullet. No, it was not because of a bullet if that's what you're wondering. It was much worse.

But maybe this is a tale for another time. First, let me tell you the story of how my life changed. Again. My life has changed so much in such a short period of time. Starting from the moment my best friend's twin brother went missing. When my own best friend, Jason Blossom, disappeared without a trace.

And my story begins, I guess, with what the Blossom twins did this summer. On the Fourth of July, just after dawn, Jason and Cheryl drove out to Sweetwater River for an early morning boat ride.

The next thing we know happened for sure is that Dilton Doiley, who was leading Riverdale's Boy Scout Troop on a bird watching expedition, came upon Cheryl by the river's edge. Our town's Police dragged Sweetwater River for Jason's body, but never found it.

Is he dead? Is he alive? I bet we will find out soon, and the answer to our prayers will be sent and dropped upon us like a cold bucket of ice.

ΨΨΨ

I close the door of my room behind my back, sliding down the wall as my hands cover my face. I still can't believe he is gone.

Jason's funeral took place a month ago, and school starts today. I don't really think I should be calling it a funeral, they buried an empty casket after all. Jason's death was ruled an accident, due to Cheryl's version of events. I still find it very hard to believe, Jason was a strong guy. I was the first friend to get to the hospital after everything happened. Cheryl was crying on her mother's chest, as her father shouted at doctors and police officers for not working hard enough on saving his son.

Cheryl's story has many flaws, not that I plan on telling her that, but the idea that something is missing in the middle of all this is still eating me alive every single day. The red-haired girl said she dropped a glove in the water, and Jason reached down to get it, and accidentally tipped the boat, panicked, and drowned.

I still can't look the twins' parents in the eyes. It pains me to see how their son's disappearance or death is affecting them. They don't sleep, they can barely eat and somehow resemble zombies. No one can blame them, though. They lost a child, a part of themselves. It will take a lot of time for them to react and wake up from the nightmare they're currently stuck inside.

Their daughter, on the other hand, seems to be very determined to show others how good she's doing. How unaffected she seems to be by these events. Deep down- and I know this because she is my best friend- she is suffering, even more than her parents. Jason was her other half, her soulmate. She has to be suffering.

Then why isn't she showing that side to me? I cried on her shoulder when Jason was declared missing and she didn't even shed a single tear. Was she being strong for me? No, I don't think so.

Someone knocks on my door and I snap back to the present, memories of my childhood with the twins flashing behind my eyes. Tears I didn't realize were even there are not falling down my cheeks. Jason was like a brother to me and I lost him.

Like I lost him.

"It's time to go back to school." My mother hits the door one more time. "I thought you were supposed to get a ride from Reggie. Want me to drive you to school?"

"No thanks, mom. I'll walk there."

I grab my bag from the floor and shove everything I need inside: my books, pens and laptop. I'll be needing that after the horrible cheerleading tryouts I'll have to watch this afternoon. I wish I could bail on them and let Cheryl do everything. But she would be super unfair and not let girls in because of her twisted reasons.

Time to go back to hell. Where everyone is going to stare and whisper behind my back.

ΨΨΨ

First day of school. You could say being one of the popular kids is amazing and fun all the time.

You couldn't be more wrong.

Riverdale can be your typical town, and it's High School the typical school: stereotypes, drugs, drinks and lots of romance.

Standing by my locker, I look down the corridor at my best friend, Cheryl. She and the rest of the River Vixens are huddled together by Cheryl's locker, giggling and whispering about the new hot stuff of the school. Apparently, this dude named Archie is now super ripped and transformed from 'boy next door' to total beast.

I roll my eyes and sigh at my friends' stupidity. Boys should not be judged or classified just on their looks or influence around the school. Boys should be nice to girls, polite and the male population at our school is definitely not near perfection in my eyes. They treat girls like crap, they have a dark sense of humor when it comes to exploring a girl's body, and their intelligence is below average.

It's a worrying situation.

There are only a few exceptions, as there are very intelligent people in this town. Most of them are female, due to the fact even girls around here are evil and self-centered like the boys. One of the exceptions is Elizabeth Cooper, a cute blonde sophomore who has a gay best friend.

It has been a good day so far. Or should I say morning, because I still have the rest of the day full of interesting activities and classes. One of them being Cheryl's speech in front of the entire school regarding the Back-to-School semiformal.

This is bound to be interesting. There's clearly some tension in the air as I enter the gym, where everyone- and I mean every single person that somehow managed to enter the school without being noticed-

Reggie Mantle, one of the school's football players, and big jerk, waves at me from his seat near the team and the rest of the cheerleaders. If there's something I don't particularly enjoy is the rule that was established long before we were students in this school: the popular kids should all sit together and enjoy the view of the less fortunate under them.

Sorry, but I'm not doing it.

Yes, I was once one of the bitches, along with Cheryl and her big squad. Guess what? I'm not in the mood to be bossy right now. I want to listen to my best friend's inspirational speech, go to lunch and then cheerleading tryouts.

Ignoring my friends' shouts and waves for me to approach and sit with them, I let my eyes roam around the spacious bleachers. There's only one empty spot, and it's right by the left side of the building, a familiar beanie-covered head near it.

Taking a deep breath, I start walking up the stairs towards the empty seat. A few people greet me or just wave and smile as I walk past them, mainly because I'm known for my warmth and happiness at all times. Little do they know I'm not that happy on the inside as I am in the outside.

I clear my throat as I get closer to the boy behind the chair. Maybe this is his spot and I'm about to rudely steal his seat. When his eyes fall upon me, I cough again and clasp my hands in front of my body.

"Is this seat taken?" I ask, my voice calm and collected.

"No."

"May I sit here?"

"Do as you wish."

I sigh at the boy's cold answers. Forsythe Pendleton Jones III, commonly known as Jughead Jones- sends me a glare before crossing his arms in front of his chest and looking back at the small stage placed strategically in the center of the gym.

"Thank you for that moment of silence. Many of you were lucky enough to have known my brother personally." My best friend starts, and I snicker. She sounds so fake. "Each and every one of you meant the world to Jason. I loved my brother. He was and always will be my soulmate. So I speak with the confidence only a twin could have Jason wouldn't want us to spend the year mourning. Jason would want us to move on with our lives. Which is why I've asked the School Board not to cancel the Back-to-School semiformal."

People start cheering but I can only shake my head in pain and shame, covering my face with my hands in hopes to mask my tears.

There's not one day that I don't cry for what happened to Jason, for so many reasons. The main one is because his "accident" is so similar to what happened many years ago with my- no, this is not the time to start thinking about that day. 

After the cheering tones down, Cheryl continues with a bright smile on her face. I close my eyes at how plastic and fake she looks. How okay she looks, how alright and happy she sounds. Every time someone speaks Jason's name, my heart breaks a little more. How is she doing so well, being his twin sister?

Even the best of actresses couldn't mask her pain so well. There's something wrong here. And I want to find out what it is.

"But rather, to let us use it as a way to heal, collectively, and celebrate my brother's too, too short life on this mortal coil. Thank you all."

People begin to walk towards the exits but I don't move. With my head in my hands and eyes tightly shut, I let out a shaky breath as more tears start forming behind my light eyes.

I sniff and wipe them off my face before anyone can see me like this. It's when I feel a warm hand on my shoulder that I jump on my seat and quickly turn around to face whoever decided to come to me. I plaster a fake smile on my face, which quickly disappears when I come face to face with the one and only Jughead Jones.

"What do you want?" I ask, more rudely than I anticipated. Grabbing his hand to take it off my bare shoulder, I let his fall near his side and get up from my seat.

"You seemed sad and thought you might need some help. I'm sorry for being a decent human being."

"Can you please keep your sarcastic remarks to yourself for a little while?"

He doesn't answer. With my eyes now closed once again, I try to regain my calm posture, and I'm sure he's gone because no sound is heard from where he once stood.

"Do you need anything?" His voice contradicts my expectations and I sigh.

"No, thank you." I answer, standing and grabbing my bag from the floor.

Before I can leave, the boy I haven't talked to in years looks at me. Like, he really looks at me. From head to toe, then back up, and his eyes land on mine for a minute. No words are shared, there's no need for that. The blissful silence embracing us is loud enough to hurt my ears.

"I'll leave you to your solitude then, as I can see you're not in the mood for a civilized conversation."

Jughead Jones rotates on his heels and joyfully places one feet after the other, slowly walking to the exit near the end of the bleachers. He's halfway down the stairs when I decide to ask him a question that I know he will answer. 

"Can you spell that?"

"What?" He turns back around to face me, a small smirk on his face. I would have missed it had I blinked.

"I asked..." Picking my bag once again and shouldering it, I slowly walk down the stairs to stand in front of him. He got taller during summer. "Can you spell that?"

He doesn't answer and I smile up at him, noticing how his curly dark hair is now showing from under his beanie, how his eyes shine under the bright lights of the gym. 

I smile at the conversation we just had and walk past him, patting his shoulder as I go.

"See you around, Jughead." I call out, not turning around to face the boy.

With my lunch inside my bag, I search the tables for my friends. Not finding them anywhere, I wander around the spacious field and stop when someone calls g name. 

"Valentina!"

I turn my head to the side to see my friends coming my way. I smile sweetly and feel arms around my waist, embracing me from behind. I cringe but don't resist the hug. Cheryl sometimes likes to show how much she likes me. As a friend, I don't mind the displays of affection. But these random acts that are not real completely shatter my heart.

With Cheryl's arms around my waist, we walk around the small school yard where students sit, have lunch and talk like free souls. We stop in front of two girls and a boy sitting on one of the tables. I smile at them while Cheryl positions herself in front of us all and smiles evilly at them.

The rest of the ground slowly abandons us to the trio and I roll my eyes at them. Those bastards still don't like talking to the "less importante students".

"Veronica Lodge, I'd heard whisperings. I'm Cheryl Blossom, may I sit?" She asks and looks at the blonde girl, taking her place on he bench attached to the table. "Betty, would you mind? So, what are you three hens gossiping about? Archie's Efron-esque emergence from the chrysalis of puberty?"

I stand there next to the table, not sure what to do next, as I still don't understand why Cheryl wanted me here with her. If the other Vixens went away and she chose me to come it's because she has something up her sleeve. And it's never something good.

"Extracurriculars. Weatherbee wants me to sign up for a few." The new girl- Veronica Lodge- says and flashes a smile at Cheryl.

"Cheerleading. You must. I'm senior captain of the River Vixens." Cheryl claps her hands and grows excited. "Valentina over here is my second in command. You can talk to her about today's tryouts."

"Is cheerleading still a thing?" The guy sitting with them asks.

"Is being the Gay Best Friend still a thing?" His questions irritated Cheryl. Nice. "Some people say it's retro, I say it's eternal and iconic."

"At Spence, I sat at the top of the Elites' pyramid." Veronica sounds as excited as Cheryl. But, when I thought she was just another mini Cheryl, she opens her mouth again. "I'm in. Betty, you're trying out, too."

"Of course, anyone's welcome to try out, but Betty's already got so much on her plate right now and being a Vixen is kind of a full-time thing." Cheryl sounds so pissed as she looks down at Betty's food, and all I can do it hide my mouth behind my face. I'm smiling. This new girl has fire. "But open to all! Follow me on Twitter and I'll do the same. My handle is @cherylbombshell."

Cheryl leaves me behind, not even waiting for her best friend as she leaves me standing by the trio.

"I'm sorry for her, she can be a little-"

"Bossy?"

"Mean?"

"A complete bitch?"

Kevin, Betty and Veronica say, respectively. Now I let out a soft giggle and cough to mask my amusement. Never have I ever had a conversation with such unimportant people. Don't get me wrong, they seem nice but after being at the top for years, with the football players and rich kids, you get used to looking down on other people. And it used to be fun. From what I've seen, these people are more interesting than my own friend. They have fun together and support each other.

I wish I could have someone like that in my life.

"Well, you know where I am if you need any information regarding the tryouts." I wink at them and start walking away when I remember something Cheryl said about the blonde that wasn't nice. "And Betty." She looks up at me with wide eyes. "You can totally be a cheerleader. You're perfect for it."

As I walk away, I can hear the sound of Kevin's surprised voice. And what he says makes my heart swell in pride and happiness.

"Who knew that Valentina Adams could be such a nice girl..."

ΨΨΨ

"Next!" I shout and a girl- she can't be older than us- stands in front of the three head cheerleaders of the school.

She smiles proudly at us and gets ready to perform her routine. Cheryl waves her hand at the girl for her to begin but I stop them.

"I have a question for you, honey." I tilt my head to the side and look at her face. She has luscious red lips and clear blue eyes, her short blonde hair framing her face. She looks like an angel. But her eyes are mean and sharp.

"I thought the interviews would take place later today."

"It won't take long." I assure her and stand, pacing the small place separating the girl and my chair. "Where do you see yourself in ten years?"

"Oh, that's easy." The girl jumps in the air in excitement and smiles. "I want to be a model, and with my parents' help I'll definitely be one of the best models the world has ever seen. Why do you ask?"

I nod my head and bite my tongue not to angrily answer her question. Just the sound of her voice irritates me.

"I was just curious." I smile sweetly and sit back down on my chair. "Please continue."

She performs her routine but I don't pay any attention. Cheryl totally understood my question, as this is one of the questions we usually ask the girls during the interviews.

"We'll see you later for the interviews, darling." Cheryl's sweet voice and her fake smile make the girl smile back as she grabs her bag and trots away from us.

"Why didn't you tell her the interviews are supposed to take place right after the performance?" The other cheerleader asks but neither of us answer.

"It's a no for me." I look at her retreating figure and say.

"You're only saying that because she reminds you of the old Valentina." Cheryl turns to me and scolds me.

"Exactly." I look at her from the corner of my eyes and sigh. "She's futile, childish and doesn't have any reasonable plans for her future. She just wants to be a cheerleader to be popular."

"Are you going to tell me you didn't want to be popular when you first became a Vixen?" My best friend raises her eyebrows at me and then frowns. "Where did this come from, Val?"

"Forget about it." I slap the hand she used to push a lock of my blonde hair away from my face. "Betty! Veronica! I'm so glad you could make it."

The two girls- as different as night and day- share a shaky smile and look back at me. I know I'm warmer and more polite to these girls than Cheryl is so I take the wheel for this one.

"Show us what you got, ladies." I smile at them and lift my thumbs up.

"We're blue! And go! We're dynamite! We'll take you down, and fight the fight! Whoo! Go, Bulldogs!" Betty and Veronica perform her routine.

I have to admit, it could be better. But just the fact they are here, standing in front of Riverdale's biggest bitches, with smiles on their faces... That's worth more than a vain girl who wants to be a model.

"Hmm. Ladies, where's the heat? Where's the sizzle?" Cheryl sounds unamused and snaps at them.

"Well, you haven't seen our big finish yet." The new girl says and the whispers something to Betty.

Veronica grabs Betty's face and kisses her. On the lips. I have no idea what went through that girl's head and I certainly don't want to find out, but that was epic. Cheryl is clearly disturbed by the sight in front of her and clears her throat before speaking. I have to bite my tongue and cross my legs to prevent from standing and clapping at the two.

"Check your sell-by date, ladies, faux lesbian kissing hasn't been taboo since 1994. So let's see if you do better with the interview portion of our audition." Cheryl frowns and writes something on her little notebook. "Betty, how's your sister doing?

"Um, Polly's fine, thanks for asking." Betty answers and I carefully touch Cheryl's arm.

She shouldn't be doing this. She wants a reaction from Betty. "Cheryl, no."

She ignores me. "Veronica, has Betty told you about her sister yet?"

"Uh, no."

"Go ahead, Betty. Tell Veronica about your sister and my dear brother. Polly and Jason dated." Cheryl smiles. I still don't know how she manages to say her brother's name and not break down.

"I wouldn't say "dated"." Betty scoffs. "It didn't end well."

"In fact, Jason's probably the reason why your sister had a nervous breakdown and now lives in a group home, isn't it?" The ginger girl crosses her arms in front of her chest and smiles deviously.

"That's what my parents think." Betty's voice is barely audible.

"Cheryl..." I warn her one more time. If she continues this, I'll have to intervene.

"What do you have to say about that, Betty?" Her voice intensifies and raises to a whole new level. I've never seen her so mad. "Go ahead, the floor is yours. Whatever you've been dying to spew about Jason and how he treated Polly, unleash it. Destroy me. Tear me a new one. Rip me to shreds. Annihilate me."

"I just-" Betty starts.

"Finally." Cheryl sights and closes her eyes, ready to hear her words.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry about what happened to Jason. I can't even imagine what you and your family must be going through." The blonde's answer surprises me.

Silence lingers in the air for a few seconds. I notice Betty's bloody palms where her nails were craved during this intense conversation.

"Right. Veronica, welcome to the River Vixens. Betty, better luck next time." Cheryl spits Betty's name and smiles at Veronica.

"Wait, what? Why?" The brunette snaps at Cheryl. "Because you couldn't bully Betty into being a bitch?"

"I need girls with fire on my squad." My best friend says and grabs my hand. "Like Valentina and my girls."

I lower my head. I can't do this. I can't contradict her and speak up for myself. I really want to stand up and protect these girls from Cheryl's anger and hostility. An idea sparkles in my mind but before I can do anything, Veronica beats me to it.

"I know what you need, Cheryl, because I know who you are. You would rather people fear than like you, so you traffic in terror and intimidation. You're rich, so you've never been held accountable, but I'm living proof. That certainty, that entitlement you wear on your head like a crown? It won't last. Eventually, there will be a reckoning." Veronica gets closer to Cheryl and I lean back to watch the scene unfolding right in front of me. "Maybe that reckoning is now. And maybe, that reckoning Is me. Betty and I come as a matching set. You want one, you take us both. You wanted fire? Sorry, Cherrybombshell, my specialty's ice."

Cheryl inhales sharply and doesn't answer. Only glares at Veronica with all her might. I stand and clap my hands to gather the two fireballs' attention.

"Betty, Veronica." I say happily and Betty looks at me with hope in her eyes. "Welcome to the River Vixens."

Betty runs to my side and hugs me close to her body.

"Thank you so much, Valentina." She whispers in my ear and I smile. I really am happy I could help her.

"You're welcome, sweetheart." I hug her back and pat her back.

She smiles once again before joining her friend. If looks could kill, I would be dead, judging by Cheryl's glare.

"These girls have fire, don't you think?" I shout on top of my lungs so everyone inside the gym can hear me. There are some people sitting on the bleachers who turn to look at me. "This is what we need, we need girls with fire!"

It probably is just my brain teasing me because of this morning but I swear I saw a grey beanie hiding behind one of the columns near the top of the bleachers. I smile.

I did the right thing. I helped someone who was going to be unfairly treated and judged by my best friend.

I, Valentina Rose Adams, may have ruined my friendship with Cheryl. But I did something for a person in need. Yeah, it was the right thing to do.

And I couldn't be more proud of myself.

ΨΨΨ

Hey there guys! I just have one question: is the length of this chapter enough? Would you want shorter/longer chapters or is this good for you?
Thank you so much for reading! I really hope you liked this! Don't forget to show your support! This chapter is dedicated to riverdale--

Rita