'Roses are red, violets are blue, this festive season, all I want is you.' I read aloud from yet another Christmas card that had been left in my locker.
'Aw, it's kinda romantic.' Betty cooed, tilting her head to the side. Veronica furrowed her brow at the blonde before folding her arms.
'More like kinda creepy. How many cards is that now?' She asked before taking the card and looking inside herself.
'Five, I've had one every day this week. I still have no idea who it could be.' I glanced left and right around the halls, curious as to who my so-called secret admirer could possibly be. Veronica handed me back the card and I studied the handwriting yet again. Sometimes it was neat and sometimes it was rushed. Whoever it was, they weren't making it easy for me to figure out.
'Maybe they're doing a countdown to Christmas or something?' Betty suggested with a rise in her shoulders. Before I could reply, Kevin came over to our huddle.
'What are my favourite ladies discussing today?' He asked, eyeing us up curiously. I quickly hid the card behind my back, I wasn't all that keen on spreading the news of my secret admirer.
'Nothing, just holiday plans. You doing anything special?' Veronica replied nonchalantly.
'Funny you should ask, I was thinking of having a party for New Year's Eve. My dad's doing the night shift so Chez Keller is free.' He announced proudly. Veronica's face lit up, even the mere hint of a party excited the girl. She clapped with a giddy smile on her face.
'Kevin, I'm so down. Is there a theme? Dress code? I need details.'
Betty and I chuckled at the socialite, you could take the girl out New York but not New York out the girl.
'Love the enthusiasm Ronnie but it'll be a bit more low key than you're probably used to. Just a good old fashioned high school party.' He reassured us.
'There's no harm in dressing up though? We don't want to be entering the New Year like slobs now...' Veronica retorted back, taking Kevin's arm and guiding him away. Betty laughed and opened up her locker, the one next to mine. She started to sort out her books as I looked over the card again. It was simple in design, a gold card with a red glittery heart in the middle, reading 'Merry Christmas'. I had to admit I agreed with both Betty and Veronica. My heart fluttered at the sight of the envelope and the handwritten messages made me smile. But I also grew nervous, while this could be a bit of fun, you could never be too sure nowadays in Riverdale.
As I leaned back on my locker, pondering about the card, Cheryl Blossom glided by. In my wildest dreams, my secret admirer would be her. She tossed her red locks over her shoulder and made my stomach do flips. Her intoxicating smile made me melt on the spot and I couldn't help but stare. I could only wish to be kissed by those signature red lips. Cheryl was fierce and quite frankly a little intimidating at times but there was something there that got to me.
'Earth to y/n?' Betty's voice burst me out of my day dreams. I could feel my face flush red as I turned to her. She rolled her eyes and we started to head for the exit.
'Still smitten for Cheryl then?' She teased, elbowing me lightly. I let out a sigh and stared down at my feet.
'Yes. And before you say anything, I know it's ridiculous.' I replied sulking. Betty put her arm over my shoulder, squeezing it slightly.
'Cheer up. Hey, maybe Cheryl's your secret admirer.' She told me with a straight face. I looked at her with a raised eyebrow, stunned for a second before we both burst out laughing.
'Now that would take a Christmas miracle.'
Christmas passed blissfully. I spent most of the break with my family, it was our turn to host to all our relatives so the house was busy. I helped my Mom with cooking and cleaning to ease her stress. I had barely thought of my secret admirer until the Saturday before New Year's Eve when Betty and I slept over at Veronica's. We were in full prep mode, we sat in our pyjamas with face masks on. I was painting my nails while Veronica and Betty were looking through Veronica's wardrobe of party dresses.
'You never told us, did you get anymore weird cards?' Veronica asked, holding up a black bodycon number against herself whilst looking in the mirror. I could see Betty glare at the raven haired girl for a moment, I chuckled at my romantic friend.
'None actually. Maybe someone was just messing with me.' I shrugged. Betty frowned while Veronica put the dress back.
'Seems like a lot of effort for nothing.' The blonde noted, sitting back down on the bed. My phone buzzed next to me.
'That's weird, I have a message from a private number.' My eyes stretched wide as I opened the message, the girls huddled around me.
UNKNOWN: What a mystery it is,
That a girl as pretty as you,
Still finds a date amiss.
No longer will you be alone,
Will you be my midnight kiss?
I'll be waiting on the back porch.
Your secret admirer x
I put the phone down but stared at the open message. My heart fluttered yet again but my mind raced.
'I am officially weirded out now.' I told the girls. They both put their arms around me, rubbing my back a little.
'Well they're determined, I'll give them that.' Veronica spoke bluntly. Betty picked up the phone and studied the message again. I could see her focus as she read it over and over. Veronica picked up my nail polish and continued painting my nails. I let out a deep breath to try and calm down.
'Aren't you curious y/n? You're finally gonna meet your secret admirer.' The blonde was a little animated, a smile playing on her face. Before I could answer Veronica was already speaking what my mind was thinking.
'You can't be serious B? How can she seriously meet whoever this is? There's no way to know it's safe.'
'Don't be dramatic. Whoever it is must be going to Kevin's party.'
'It could be one of those idiot jocks trying to play some sort of joke.'
'Or it could be some genuinely thoughtful girl with a big crush.'
It was like watching a tennis match between my heart and my mind. As my friends bickered between themselves, I read over the message again. Either way I wanted to find out who it was. If it was some kind of cruel prank, I wanted to know why they'd go to all that effort. If it was the real deal, I wanted to find out who thought I was worth putting so much effort in for. This mystery had to be solved.
It was 11.50pm and everyone could feel the anticipation of the New Year's arrival. Veronica was still apprehensive about my decision but was still supportive. She was a little distracted as midnight crept closer, glancing over to Archie. He would catch her eye for a moment and both would smile sweetly at each other.
Betty was joyous at my decision however. While I knew it was the romantic in her, I also knew she was trying to distract herself from her own romantic situation. Kevin had agreed to be her midnight kiss, they'd done it as kids when they'd been at their parents' shindigs.
'Not long now, you ready?' The blonde asked cheerfully. I shook my head and grabbed her hand, leading us to the bathroom.
'I'm gonna top up my lipstick then I'm gonna go to the porch. You might have to push me.' I half joked as I checked myself in the mirror. Betty chuckled at me and topped up her milky pink lipstick. I tussled my fingers though my y/h/c hair quickly and applied a layer of y/f/c lipstick. I smoothed down my dress nervously. Betty checked her phone and looked up at me with eyes wide.
'Time to go, only five minutes left.'
We walked out the bathroom and waded through the crowd of teenagers to the back door. Betty shouted a quick good luck over the music and went off to find the host. I headed to the back porch, the cold clawed at my ankles as I closed the door behind me. A soft rumble could be heard from the party. It was dark, stars sprinkled amongst the night sky. I looked around cautiously, I could see a figure sat on a bench in the corner. As they stepped out the shadows, my mouth fell open.
'Surprised?'
The sugar coated voice of the one and only Cheryl Blossom. She was always beautiful but tonight she looked ravishing. A strappy emerald green dress hugged her body as she walked forward. Her famous red hair fell effortlessly in curls down her back.
'Definitely. You were the last person I would-' She placed a finger on my lips, leaving me frozen. I could hear the chant of the countdown from inside.
'Less talking, more kissing.' She closed the distance between us, her lips clashing into mine. Her hands curled around my back, her fingertips perusing my open skin. I caressed her neck, my thumb brushing over her jaw. Her lips were soft but she kissed passionately, it was like she was trying to embrace every inch of my lips. We finally separated, both riled up and panting for breath. I perused my hand over her cheek, giving her a bashful smile.
'Happy new year y/n.' If the year started as it meant to go on, it was definitely going to be a happy one.
Credit: tailsbeth-writes.tumblr.com