𝐒𝐎𝐋 | ˢʷᵉᵉᵗ ᵖᵉᵃ

T H I R T Y • T H R E E

« Mandarina »

Cheryl Blossom was in Clemintine Bartholdy's room to help prepare her for her date with Sweet Pea. She was more than giddy for her cousin. Though Cheryl wasn't Sweet Pea's biggest fan, she loved her cousin, and if Clemintine was happy, Cheryl was okay with that.

"So, do you know where he's taking you?" Cheryl questioned, sending a brush through Clemintine's damp, dull pink hair.

"Nope." Clemintine responded, placing a stick of gum in her mouth. "He wants everything to be a surprise."

Cheryl put down the brush and picked up the curling iron. "Well, a little birdie might have heard from Fangs, then told me, where you're going." She smirked, her perfectly white teeth slightly showing.

Clemintine looked at Cheryl with a shocked expression through the mirror, then proceeded to roll her eyes. "I shouldn't be surprised." She chuckled. "I still want to be surprised but, thank you, Cheryl."

"Fair enough." Cheryl responded. They fell into a comfortable silence, the sweet sound of The 1975 playing as their background music as Cheryl finished curling the last strand of her cousins hair. "I think this is the best work I've ever done." Cheryl smiled. "Now," she moved to her overly large purse. "for the outfit."

"Actually, Cheryl," Clemintine stood. "I kinda wanted to wear one of my old outfits." She made her way over to her closet. "I've missed wearing my signature colors. I mean- I love wearing the clothes you gave me, but pastel blue has always been my favorite color."

Cheryl's smile only intensified. "I'm so glad you said that, or else I was going to feel silly." The fiery redhead pulled out a plaid skirt, the pastel blue and black checkered pattern flowing. "I thought we could mix your styles. Do you have a shirt that'll match?"

"Of course, I do." Clemintine smiled brightly. Within a couple minutes, Clemintine was transformed into the watered-down version of Cheryl, but with distressed combats boot heels.

"Interesting shoe choice." Cheryl complimented. "Not my style, but they look good on you." To Clemintine, they were mainly a tool to be closer to Sweet Pea's height. The doorbell then sounded, alerting them to Sweet Pea's arrival. Cheryl clapped giddily. Clemintine laughed, never seeing Cheryl this happy before. "Destiny calls." Cheryl grabbed Clemintine's hand, leading her to the front door. Cheryl Swung it open, coming face to face with tonight's eligible bachelor, Sweet Pea. "You clean up nice." Cheryl smirked. Her girlfriend had done a fantastic job on him.

Sweet Pea smiled awkwardly, not being used to compliments. "Toni helped."

"Oh good." Cheryl responded, though she was well aware, and had been receiving updates throughout the evening. "Now." She stepped to the side. "Want to come in?"

Sweet Pea crossed the threshold, entering the large residence. His eyes wandered over to Clemintine. She was breathtaking. Her signature blue clothes sent a rush of nostalgia through his body. He remembered the late nights at Southside High, the shared glances between when he transferred to Riverdale High. And of course, the first time he kissed her. The Clemintine he fell in love with, and the Clemintine he will continue to love.

"Hey." Clemintine smiled, approaching the tall Serpent.

"H-hey." He found himself stuttering like a school boy with a crush. That's basically what he actually was. He then quickly fidgeted with the small bouquet of flowers, almost dropping them in the process. Clemintine giggled at his actions. This was a whole new side to Sweet Pea. Cheryl smiled at a distance, sneaking a few pictures at the interaction. "These are for you." When Clemintine took them, Sweet Pea quickly shoved his hands in his pockets. "Fangs wouldn't tell me what he got you, so I'm sorry if their the same."

"Thank you." She smelled the beautiful arrangement.

Sweet Pea ran a hand across the back of his neck nervously. "I've never really been on one of these before." He laughed anxiously. "Not completely sure how to act."

"You're doing just fine." Clemintine reassured him, placing a comforting hand on his arm.

"I'll take those." Cheryl took the flowers. "Before you wisk her away, I need pictures."

Clemintine rolled her eyes with a smile. Of course, Cheryl wanted pictures. This time tomorrow, those pictures would be liked by her many followers on Instagram. As Cheryl lifted her phone, Sweet Pea put an arm around Clemintine's shoulders. The pair smiled at the camera. Clemintine then wrapped her arms around the taller boy's torso. Cheryl made sure to snap more than one picture of the cute moment, including the brief few seconds that they looked into each other's eyes.

"Alright, Romeo and Juliet." Cheryl put her phone away, then walked back to the front door. "Go have fun. Have her back here at exactly 11 o'clock, or else... It's a school night." The pair laughed. It was Friday. "Oh, and one more thing." Cheryl stepped dangerously close to the Serpent, staring up into his dark eyes menacingly. "If you hurt her or touch her in any way, shape, or form, without her permission, I will find you... and I will be the one to cut off your right hands best friend, and then murder you." She then lowered her voice. "No one... will ever find you." Cheryl took a large step backwards and smiled brightly. "Tootles." She wiggled her fingers in a wave.

Sweet Pea, now traumatized, walked Clemintine to his car. He was the perfect gentleman, opening the car door for her. "Uhm." Sweet Pea hummed, once he was in the drivers seat with seatbelt fastened. "Can I hold your hand?"

Clemintine laughed. "Did she really scare you that bad?"

"No." Sweet Pea defended. But yes, she had slightly. "I'm just trying to be polite. I'm all about consent."

"Well, in that case." Clemintine took his larger hand, holding it in her smaller one, their fingers laced together naturally. "You never have to ask to hold my hand."

"Good to know." He smiled.

☀️🐍

When the car came to a complete stop, Clemintine took in their surroundings. Her dark brows furrowed in confusion at what she saw. "What are we doing at Sweet Water River?" Sweet Pea didn't respond as he exited the car, then opened Clemintine's door. "You didn't bring me here to kill me, did you?" She rose a brow.

Sweet Pea chuckled. "Of course not. I have a little surprise."

His intentions became clear once Clemintine spotted her violin sat atop a rock. "What is that doing here?"

"I know the past that you and your violin have," Sweet Pea took her hand, leading her closer to the rivers side. "and how its so hard for you to play it now, but I can see it in your eyes; how badly you want to play." Sweet Pea released her hand, waling over to the instrument, picking it up. "I want to hear you play."

Clemintine began to panic. "I-I-I can't... I can-n't." Her voice cracked.

"Clemintine." He spoke her name so softly, she barely heard him. "I'm not gonna force you, but I will remind you of where you are." He motioned around them, violin and bow still in hand. "No one can hurt you here. It's just us." He held out the instrument delicately.

Clemitnine thought for a moment, her mind clouded. "Just you..." she took a deep breath to steady her heart rate. "and me." She looked up and into his dark brown eyes, letting the smallest of smiles slip. Her hands gingerly grasped her beloved violin. One last deep breath in and she rose the instrument to her shoulder, just below her jaw.

With bow placed on string, she played. Sweet Pea stood and watched. Her music was the most heavenly sound he had ever heard. Then, it abruptly stopped. The girl was shaking, eyes closed tight.

"Sunny," he used her nickname. It was a name Nick St. Claire could never use. "it's just you and me. Sunny and Sweets. Bonnie and Clyde."

Clemintine's eyes opened after a moment. She scanned the world around her. Only the river, sounds of the breeze, and Sweet Pea were there. No harm. Nothing. That beautiful boy.

Clemintine and Sweet Pea both knew that she wouldn't be cured in one evening. This would take some time, but as long as Sweet Pea was there when she opened her eyes, she knew that she could replace those awful memories, with new and happy ones.

chapter word count: 1413