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Mariah impatiently tapped her foot as the elevator took her up to Veronica's apartment. Josie hadn't told her what had happened but from what she did say, Mariah had a pretty good idea of what went on. And she was pissed. When it finally dinged after getting to her floor she rushed out of the doors and to Veronica's apartment. Josie had been the one to open the door, leading the way to Veronica's bedroom where Cheryl was.

As soon as she entered the room, all eyes turned to her. Mariah's gaze was focused on Cheryl and she made her way over to her friend. Veronica stood up from where she sat next to Cheryl, moving out of the way for Mariah to sit down. The blonde immediately pulled the redhead into the hug.

Cheryl fell into her instantly, tears beginning to stream down her face again. Mariah rubbed her arm comfortingly, willing herself not to cry too. "I'm so sorry, Cheryl. I should've been here," she whispered. Cheryl lifted her head from Mariah's shoulder and shook it. "No. It's not your fault. You couldn't have known," she said. Mariah shook her head, "I'm gonna kill him."

"Josie, Veronica, Mel, and Val already took care of him. And I'm gonna press charges. He's not gonna get away with this," the redhead softly said. "You're damn right he's not," Mariah muttered. She looked around the room. Betty and Archie were also there, eyes on the two girls. Mariah looked back at Cheryl. "You're staying at my place tonight, okay?" The redhead nodded.

Mariah stood from the bed, pulling Cheryl up with her. "Come on, let's go." Cheryl stopped to give Josie and Veronica hugs. Mariah hugged Josie as well and gave Veronica and appreciative nod and nothing else. She then looked at Betty. "You and I need to talk. I'll call you tomorrow," the blonde said. Betty looked at her in confusion before nodding her head.

Mariah took ahold of Cheryl's hand and pulled her to the door. The two walked out of Veronica's home and apartment building and to Mariah's car. After getting in, Mariah drove them home.

••••

Cheryl had slept with Mariah in her bed that night, not wanting to sleep alone. Mariah didn't mind one bit. When her mother had come home that night, Mariah had filled her in on what happened and Amara was on the phone with her friends, trying to get in touch with a good lawyer in case Cheryl would need one. She didn't care how late it was.

The next morning, Penelope Blossom was at Mariah's house because her mother had called the woman to fill her in. They had already contacted Sheriff Keller so Nick should be on his way to the station now if he wasn't already there.

Mariah and Cheryl could hear the argument that the two women were having downstairs. Penelope Blossom did not want Cheryl to press charges against Nick. Amara Coleman thought that she should, but Penelope wouldn't budge. "They've been arguing for like, fifteen minutes," Cheryl complained as she walked back and forth in Mariah's room.

"Yeah well, your mom is being the stupid bitch she always is and my mom isn't one to take shit from stupid bitches so." Cheryl smiled at that and shook her head. "I can't believe she doesn't want to press charges. I mean, Nick deserves to get punished for what he did," Mariah went on. "She probably thinks this whole thing is my fault," Cheryl muttered. "Well it's not. None of what happened to you is your fault," Mariah stated firmly.

The voices downstairs quieted down and the door slammed. The two girls looked at each other before exiting the bedroom and making their way downstairs. "Mom, what happened?" Mariah asked as she looked at the woman who was practically seething with anger. "Penelope won't let Cheryl press charges. She wants things to be handled quietly. Said something about going to people who can do that for her," Amara said.

"Hm, I wonder who those people could be," Cheryl said, rolling her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Cheryl. I wish there was something I could do," Amara apologized as she pulled the girl into a hug. "Don't be, you did all that you could and that's more than enough. I appreciate everything you've done for me Ms. Coleman," Cheryl said, pulling away from the hug. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go get my things and get home."

Mariah looked at her in confusion. "What? Go home?" Cheryl nodded her head, "Yup. Things are settling down so, I should probably go." Amara shook her head, "Or you can stay. For as long as you want. I don't want you going back to live with that monster of a woman. No offense."

"None taken. But seriously, Ms. C, your kindness and generosity is appreciated but, I really should be going," Cheryl said. "Cheryl. I know what you're doing, but stop. Don't let your mother's words get into your head. The way you're feeling right now is valid. What happened to you-"

"But that's just it, Mar. Like my mother said, nothing happened to me," Cheryl interrupted. "But something almost did and that's grounds for Nick to face some kind of consequence," Mariah replied. Cheryl smiled, "Mar, I love you. But it's okay, really." Mariah narrowed her eyes, "Cheryl, I know you. And it's not okay." Cheryl sighed, plastering on another fake smile, "Can you take me home?"

Mariah sighed in annoyance before nodding. Cheryl nodded once before turning back to the stairs and ascending them. Mariah looked to her mother who was frowning. "We cannot let that boy get away with this," the woman said, shaking her head. Mariah nodded in agreement. But what could they do?

••••

After reluctantly dropping Cheryl off at home, Mariah went to Pop's to get some food and and just think. She needed time to figure out what to do. Cheryl had made her promise to just let it go but she couldn't do it. She couldn't let Nick get away with this. "I can't believe I was friends with that asshole," she muttered.

"Talking to yourself I see," a familiar voice said. Mariah looked over to see Jughead and Toni sitting in a booth. Toni had been the one to speak. "Wow, it's like you're everywhere now," Mariah said as she walked over to them. "And for the record, talking to yourself is a normal thing. And I mean actually talking to yourself not hallucinating that you're talking to someone else," the blonde continued.

"Never said it wasn't," Toni said. Jughead moved over in his seat and Mariah sat down, taking a piece of bacon off of his plate and taking a bite. Jughead looked over at her, mouth agape. She held up a hand to silence any words that he might say. "Don't start with me, Jones. I've had a long morning," she said. "Why, what happened with Cheryl? Toni told me that it was an emergency," he said.

Mariah sighed and took another bite of the bacon, chewing it thoroughly and swallowing before responding. "I'm not sure it's my place to say. But," she looked over at Toni who was listening before turning to Jughead. "I'll tell you later," the blonde concluded. "I get it, it's none of my business. But who am I gonna tell all the juicy Northside gossip to?" Toni said.

"The Serpents," Mariah stated, finishing off the bacon. "Fair point," Toni said. Mariah took another piece of Jughead's bacon. "Are you here to get your own food or eat mine?" He asked, moving his plate away from her. Mariah rolled her eyes. "Relax, I'll get you more bacon if you want," she said with an innocent smile. He rolled his eyes, "Whatever."

Mariah returned her attention to Toni, or more specifically, her hair. Toni eyed her warily. "Yes," she dragged out. "Did you dye your hair yourself?" The blonde questioned. Toni's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Yeah, why?" Mariah smiled, "Do you think you can do mine?"

"You want me to dye your hair?" Toni asked. "Yeah, can you do that?" Mariah said. "Why do you wanna do that?" Jughead asked and she shrugged. "To distract myself from the mess that is my life. And, to try something new." She looked back at Toni, "What do you say? I can pay you do you want."

"Sure, why not?" Toni replied. Mariah smiled at that and held out her hand. Toni looked down at it. "Phone," Mariah stated. "What?" The pink haired girl asked. "You do have a phone right?" Mariah asked her. "What, because I'm from the Southside you think I don't have a phone?" Toni questioned. Mariah rolled her eyes at the girl, "I swear you Southsiders take offense to everything. Do you have a phone or not?"

Toni pulled out her phone. "What do you want with it?" She asked. "To steal it," Mariah deadpanned. "To put my number in it, duh," she replied after the two seemingly believed her to be serious. The blonde pulled out her own phone and unlocked it, clicking on the contacts app and handing it to Toni. "Here, you can put your number in mine too."

Mariah shook the phone and Toni took it before handing Mariah her own phone. Their fingers brushed as they handed over their phones and the two's eyes connected. The blonde felt a strange sensation in her stomach and she looked away, her cheeks warming.

Mariah quickly typed in her name and number, adding an emoji by her name and saving the contact before handing Toni her phone back. Toni gave Mariah her phone as well. Their fingers brushed again. Mariah felt the same sensation though she avoided Toni's eyes. "I'll, uh, text you," the blonde said, sliding out of the booth. "Now I'm gonna go get some food to go. I realize I have things to take care of," she said, turning to the counter.

"Don't forget my bacon," Jughead called to her. She waved him off. "I'm serious, Mariah. I want my bacon," Jughead repeated. "Whatever, Jones."

°°°°

Here's the long awaited next chapter. Be sure to vote if you liked it. DO NOT COMMENT FOR ME TO UPDATE!