Betty isn't sure when her world stopped revolving around all things Archie Andrews.
She isn't sure when, instead of dreaming about Archie kissing her, she now wishes for another boy to even notice her.
Maybe it was when she decided she was tired of Archie disappearing from her life completely whenever he was dating a girl or writing a new song.
Maybe it was because she was fed up of listening to Archie's problems, and him paying no mind to hers.
Whatever the reason, she was suddenly completely done with Archie. And completely interested in a certain Jughead Jones.
It was bittersweet, really. Although Jughead was a good friend to Betty – reliable, honest, kind, always looking out for her – He definitely had no interest in her romantically. Betty wasn't sure Jug was romantically interested in any girl, if she was completely honest.
She wraps her lips round her pen lid and nibbles it distractedly. Jughead has just walked into the Blue and Gold office, wearing his signature beanie and braces. He pulls his shoulder bag over his head, barely sparing a glance at the dazed looking blonde at the opposite desk.
"Finished the article," he carelessly throws it on her desk, snapping Betty out of her daze and back to the present.
"Thanks, Juggie. I'll look over it tonight."
"Not too busy going to Veronica Lodge's birthday extravaganza?" His tone is mocking; he hates Ronnie for some unknown reason.
Betty slaps a hand to her forehead. "I completely forgot about that."
He grimaces. "I wish I could forget. Archie wants me to go, even though he knows I don't do formal dress."
Betty rolls her eyes jokingly. "It's hardly formal, Juggie. More smart casual."
She's playing it all off jokingly, but internally her heart is racing at the knowledge that Jug will be there tonight. She rarely sees him outside of school for anything other than sleuthing, this could finally be her opportunity to make him really notice her.
She knows it's a long shot, but Elizabeth Cooper is nothing if not determined.
"Let's not argue over the finer details. Point is, I don't want to go." Jug continues, oblivious to Betty's sudden look of determination.
Betty sighed, silently agreeing with him. "Please, Jug? I really don't want to be stuck with Ronnie and Archie all night alone."
"I'm sure Reggie or one of his equally dumb jock friends would be more than happy to keep you company."
His tone is almost bitter, as if he were… jealous? Betty dismisses this idea, telling herself it's because he pretty much dislikes the entire football team. But she can't ignore the faint spark of hope that gathers at the pit of her stomach.
"I don't want them to keep me company, I want you." Betty realises what she's just said, and quickly continues. "Please? For me? I'll do whatever you want!"
Jug looks at her for a moment. She returns his stare, watching his face carefully, trying to decide whether he looks convinced or not. But Jughead has always been hard to read, and a very private person, so Betty struggles to decode the expression on his face.
"Whatever I want?" Jughead's face turns to a mischievous smirk. "Like bake me those cookies you know I love?"
Betty smiles triumphantly. "It's a deal!"
She's standing in Veronica's bedroom, glancing at her reflection in the floor length mirror. Although it's casual, Betty has chosen to wear a delicate white sundress. The soft white material sets off the dewy tan of her skin, bronzed from days lying in the back garden slathered in carrot oil. Her hair is down for once, part of it swept back with a bow. She has painted her lips a bright bubblegum pink. She looks young and pretty and hopes it will be enough for Jughead to suddenly wake up and notice her.
Her stomach sinks a little, knowing that this is highly unlikely.
"You look so cute, Betty," Veronica coos, waltzing in wearing a tight black dress.
Betty smiles politely at the black haired girl, secretly wishing she could pull off the clothes her friend wore.
"When are your guests arriving?"
She banishes all negative thoughts. This is supposed to be a party, after all.
"Archie text to say he's on his way. I expect the others won't be far behind him."
No sooner has Veronica said this than the doorbell begins to ring. She excuses herself to greet her guests, leaving Betty to once more stare at her reflection and pray for a miracle.
Sometime later, after being forced out of the bedroom by Veronica, Betty finds herself in the sitting room, now full of people from school. She hovers by the drinks and snacks table holding a tinfoil wrapped tray of her cookies, baked especially for Jughead this afternoon. She searches desperately for the familiar grey beanie, but he is nowhere to be found. Her stomach sinks despite her telling herself he's probably just late. Would he really just not show up?
"Hey, Betty."
She forces herself to look from the doorway to the person standing infront of her. It's Archie.
"Hi," she smiles awkwardly.
She hasn't spoken to Archie in a few weeks. Veronica told her that he'd been disappointed by her complete lack of contact, which only served to annoy her further. Why couldn't Archie reach out? Why was she the one always making the effort in this friendship?
"Why are you standing over here by yourself? Come sit with us," Archie's expression is pleading, and she almost feels guilty. Almost.
The "us" he is referring to is the group of people sitting away from everybody else. This group is made up of the entire football team, Veronica, Cheryl Blossom and a few other cheerleaders. The thought of sitting with them makes her want to leave altogether. She's not mentally prepared for Cheryl's sly remarks and backhanded compliments.
"I was looking for Jughead… I baked him cookies."
Betty felt pathetic even saying that. But Archie's look of pity is what really made her feel like an idiot.
"Jug? He's not coming."
"But he said… He promised." Betty feels a sudden spark of anger, so unlike her usual sweet and patient temperament.
"Betty," Archie sighs, running a hand through his hair. "He was never intending to go. He told me he'd come, too… He's just trying to get us off his back. But you know Jug, he's not really one for socialising."
Archie fakes laughter, trying to make light of it all, trying to get the murderous expression off of her face, but she can't bring herself to play along. She's tired of hiding her feelings, of being nice to everyone, of being everyone's doormat to walk all over.
But he promised.
She looks at her sandal-clad feet, suddenly feeling very small and very silly.
She really thought he would come.