Betty tightened up her perky blonde ponytail, smoothed down the drab uniform top she'd gotten at orientation, and walked into her new place of employment, Keegan's Books. She was nervous about it- she'd have to adjust to her new co-workers and learn new ways of doing things. After one semester of college, Betty knew eating ramen for every meal wasn't sustainable, and looked for jobs. After a month-long search, she got hired at Keegan's Books, an establishment at which she was a regular.
The gorgeous brunette manning the front desk waved at her. The brunette stepped out of the desk, and said, "Hey, you must be Betty? I'm Veronica. I'm training you!" Betty smiled. "Great- how long have you been working here?" Veronica grimaced. "Maybe four months? Most of the employees here are students, so they don't tend to stick around long. I'm a fashion marketing major at the university, you?" Betty replied, "I'm a journalism/ business double major. What's it like here?".
Veronica smiled. "I'll just give you the tour. Obviously, this is the front desk. If you're on the reception desk, you just have to scan books and take payment. Pretty easy stuff. I'll show you the breakroom." They walked over to a gray unmarked door, and Veronica stuck a key, turned it, and gave the door a shove before it opened. In the drab, windowless room, containing only a table, chairs, and a microwave, a dark, beanie-wearing figure sat, typing away on a laptop.
Veronica called out, "Jughead? You've got company. This is Betty, our new co-worker". Jughead said, without looking up from his laptop. "Hi, I'm Jughead. Welcome to this fine establishment. It's always an amazing time". Betty blurted out. "Jughead? Did you used to hang out with Archie Andrews, in Riverdale?". Jughead stopped typing, looked up, and recognized the familiar face standing in front of him. "Betty Cooper?". She smiled, and explained to Veronica, "Me and Jughead grew up together. We kinda lost touch after he moved to Toledo in eighth grade". She turned back toward Jughead, "How have you been? I didn't know you ended up going here? How's Jellybean and FP?" Jughead replied, "Jellybean's doing great. She's probably the only middle-schooler who listens to Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin voluntarily. And FP's fine". Veronica said, "This is so weird. You guys knew each other beforehand? I've got to drag Betty away; I need to show her the coffee bar".
They walked to a small cafe area, tucked in the corner of the bookshop. Veronica said, "We have a little coffee corner here. We only serve brewed coffee, reheated pastries, and bottled drinks,". Gesturing toward the small cafe tables, each with a student hunched over their laptop or a textbook, she said, "A lot of people study here. So basically, once you start working here, you'll either be at the register, working the coffee bar, or stocking books with Jughead. It's a pretty chill job. Today, you're supposed to work register with me, and I'll just show you the ropes on that".
They walked back to the front desk, and Veronica said, "That's so cool that you know Jughead. He kinda keeps to himself. Do you have any plans for tonight? I was thinking of going downtown." Betty, not usually the type to party, surprised herself, and said, "No plans- I'd love to go out". Veronica grinned. Betty added, "We could get ready at my place, too, if you want?" Veronica said, "Hell yeah. If by 'getting ready,' you mean 'pregame,' then I'm in".
* please review! I'd really appreciate it. this will probably be an extended story, I have a couple of directions I'd like to take it. *