She had regretted the night before the minute she woke up the next morning. The pounding of her head made her want to die. She vowed to never drink alcohol again. Well, at least not in such a large quantity.

Her mom had come into her room that morning with two painkillers and water. She knew a home remedy that would help her not feel like shit with the hangover that she knew she would have. It was already made and downstairs waiting for Mariah who had to go to school.

Yes, you heard that right.

Amara Coleman was most definitely going to make her daughter go to school that day. Mariah didn't even object, despite not wanting to go. She knew she would be in a lot of trouble and if this was the start of her punishment, she would take it. In all honesty, she didn't even care. The only thing that bothered her was the inevitability of seeing both Archie and Veronica.

Mariah sighed again as she drank the disgusting liquid that her mom swore would make the girl feel better. After giving the girl a scorning and the promise of a more in depth talk later on, Amara left for work. The honking of a horn made the blonde jump, a spike of pain shooting through her head.

She groaned slightly and took another sip from her bottle of the home remedy. She smoothed down her skirt and brushed off her plain white shirt before pulling on her jean jacket. She picked up the bottle and slid on a pair of sunglasses before starting for the door, grabbing her keys and backpack. After locking the door to her house, she bounded down the porch steps and walked towards Cheryl's red car.

The car's hood was pulled down as Mariah approached. Cheryl took in her appearance. "You know at this point, it's like you want me to make fun of your outfits," she said. Mariah winced slightly. "Maybe lower your voice," the blonde suggested, entering the car. Cheryl wrinkled her nose.

"Why? Are you hungover?" She asked. "Why would you assume that?" Mariah asked. "Well for starters, you kinda look like shit. You didn't really put much effort into your outfit, you seem to have a headache and you're wearing sunglasses," Cheryl deduced. "I might be a little hungover," Mariah admitted. "You're not one to drink alcohol. What happened?" The redhead said.

Mariah sighed heavily. "I should've called you last night. But I was so upset and I just wanted to drink alcohol because alcohol supposedly makes you feel better because it makes you forget. And for a while, I did forget." Mariah took a deep breath and Cheryl stared at her in confusion. "Archie cheated on me." Cheryl gasped. Mariah shook her head, "With Veronica." The redhead gasped even louder.

"You're lying," she said in shock. "Nope. I saw it with my own eyes. I don't even know how long it's been going on." Mariah shook her head and looked down. "Veronica's been acting so strange lately. I thought it was because of her dad. I guess I was wrong," Mariah said, realization beginning to dawn on her.

The blonde looked over at her friend who was typing furiously on her phone. Mariah's face scrunched up in confusion. "What are you doing?" She asked. "I'm trying to figure out how to get away with murdering two people," Cheryl replied. Mariah couldn't help but laugh, causing Cheryl to look over at her. "I'm not joking, Mariah. I warned Archie Andrews not to hurt you and he does just that. He's going to pay for it. With his life," Cheryl said.

"You are not murdering anybody. I won't let you. I kinda need you in my life and you going to prison wouldn't be good. Besides, you wouldn't look good in those prison jumpsuits," the blonde said. "For your information, I look good in anything," Cheryl retorted. Mariah gave her a disbelieving look. "Okay, maybe not a prison jumpsuit. Those things are hideous," she said and Mariah smiled slightly.

Cheryl then got serious, looking at her friend in concern. "You okay?" She asked. "I'm fine," Mariah said. She couldn't mask the crack in her voice and silently cursed herself. Cheryl opened up her arms, "Come here." Mariah scooted over in her seat, moving over to give Cheryl a hug. It was very uncomfortable, the two having to lean over the gearshift. Mariah had told herself that morning that she would not cry.

Not at all.

But hugging Cheryl in her cherry red car, she couldn't help it. The tears just started flowing and they wouldn't stop, no matter how hard she tried to make them. Involuntary sobs left her mouth and she desperately tried to stop them by holding her hands over her lips. Cheryl held her friend as tightly as she could, rubbing her back comfortingly. The two had stayed like that for a long time.

They were both late for school.

••••

The two walked into the school, arm in arm. The hallways were empty as everyone was in class. Mariah looked at the time on her phone to see that there was still twenty minutes left of their first class. "You think we should walk in late or just wait for the next period?" Cheryl questioned, the two standing in the middle of the hallway.

"I think we should ditch while we still have the chance," Mariah muttered. "As much as I'd love to ditch, I'd rather not face the wrath of your mother when she finds out," the redhead responded. Mariah let out an annoyed sigh. "Let's just go to class," Mariah said. Cheryl nodded and the two continued down the hallway.

Cheryl pulled open the door to their first class and all eyes turned to the two at the door. Mariah unintentionally met Archie's gaze. Her eyes moved over to the person in the seat next to him. Veronica. Mariah scoffed.

Mariah frowned and looked up at the front at the teacher who was giving her and Cheryl a disapproving look. "Late can't even begin to describe what you two are," he said. "Sorry, sir. I was having car troubles this morning," Cheryl lied, a sickeningly sweet smile coming to her face.

"Is that so?" He asked. "Yes sir. It was a very trying time for us because neither of us wanted to miss your class. We even contemplated pushing the car all the way to the school," Mariah tacked on. Scattered laughter could be heard in the classroom. Mr. Peters rolled his eyes. "Just sit down," he grumbled.

The redhead smirked and the two walked to the only available seats left in the classroom. It was at the far left by the windows and Cheryl sat down, Mariah sitting in the seat behind her. Both Archie and Veronica watched Mariah as she walked to a seat. Cheryl glanced over at them, a nasty glare settled into her features. "What the hell are you two looking at?" She asked aloud.

All eyes turned to her and then to where her gaze was. "Cheryl," Mariah hissed. Betty looked back and forth in confusion. "Is there a problem, Miss Blossom?" Mr. Peters asked. Cheryl's glare remained on the two for a moment longer before she took a breath and looked at the teacher. "Just feeling a little uncomfortable that Archie and Veronica are looking at me. I mean, I know I look good and all but it's a little creepy," she responded coolly.

More laughter. "Settle down class. Andrews and Lodge, eyes up here," Mr. Peters said before continuing on with his lesson.

When class was over, Mariah was quick to leave with Cheryl on her heels. "Jeez, Cheryl, I thought we were gonna avoid conflict," Mariah said. "We never agreed to that. Besides, you think I'm gonna let those two get away with what they did? Hell no," the redhead replied. Mariah sighed, rubbing her pounding head. "I really don't want to deal with them right now so if you could please save your revenge for a later time, that would be great," Mariah said.

As soon as the words left her mouth, the two people whom she wanted to see least of all approached her and Cheryl. "Speak of the devil times two and they shall appear," Cheryl said. Mariah turned to face the two, her anger rising. "What do you want?" She asked. "To talk. Let us explain," Archie began. "There's nothing to explain. You two have been going behind my back and having sex or whatever. I caught you and now you're trying to figure out a way to save your asses. Newsflash, you're done for," Mariah said.

"Whoa, what?" Betty asked as she walked up to them and Mariah sighed. "You two had sex?" She continued, pointing between Veronica and Archie. "On multiple occasions is my guess," Cheryl said, arms crossed. "Why would you do that?" Betty asked, her eyes moving between Archie and Veronica. "I'll tell you why, Betty. It's because I didn't want to have sex with Archie, so he found someone else who would. I wish you would've broken up with me before you decided to have sex with her but, we don't always get what we want, do we?" Mariah said.

Archie sighed and looked down. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Mariah asked. "Look, Mar, I-" She cut him off. "Don't call me that," she snapped and he nodded once. "Mariah, I'm sorry, okay? I really am," he said. "We both are," Veronica said, taking a small step forward. "What happened between us, it wasn't planned. And we regretted it right after," she continued. "Is that supposed to make me feel better. My boyfriend and one of my best friends go behind my back and do this shit and you think that because it wasn't planned I'd be okay with it?" Mariah was seething at this point.

"I wanted to tell you. I tried. I know that I messed up-" Mariah cut her off. "You did a lot more than mess up, Veronica," she then turned to Archie. "You could've cheated on me with anyone else. And yet, you chose her. You're exactly the person you said you weren't. You're a liar and a cheater and an asshole. We're done, I made that clear. I want nothing to do with you or Veronica," she continued on.

"I hope you two are happy. You, Veronica, lost a friend. And you, Archie, lost the best thing to ever happen to you. The best thing that you're ever gonna get. Because it doesn't get better than this. Hope you two can live with your decision." And with that, Mariah pushed past the two and walked down the hallway. Cheryl eyed the two up and down before she followed after her friend.

Betty looked at Veronica and Archie in disgust. "You two are perfect for each other. Both fucked up human beings." And with that, Betty followed after her blonde friend to make sure she was okay.

°°°°

It's been so long since I've updated. I've been studying for a really important test, which I took today. I did pretty well (could've been better but whatever). I'm starting school soon so updates will be irregular. I apologize in advance. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.