Disclaimer: I do not own Riverdale.
This story will have mature based content.
(Strong sexual content and language, if you're looking for something sweet, this isn't it.)
Chapter One
Her reality hit her hard; harsher than any storm brewing deep within the atlantic waves bound to bring havoc to shore. She missed the hum in the air of people passing by on the streets, her warm vanilla latte with a hint of cinnamon alongside a small box of macaroons fresh from the bakery on Fifth Avenue, New York, even the rather maddening honks of taxis and sirens blaring through traffic seemingly every hour. That was home. But this? She felt...empty.
"Daddy might as well had thrown me into the Stanley Hotel if he wanted me to go insane," she murmured to herself, sighing lightly. Veronica made her way to her vanity as she zipped up the side of her Karl Lagerfeld skirt (gifted to her from Mr. Lagerfeld himself, of course) with her delicate footfalls barely audible as the plush rug encompassed her perfected pedicured feet. Veronica sat down, looking into her own cocoa eyes through the mirror once dabbing over her berry stained lips and let out another sigh.
She shouldn't have to be the one suffering just because her father was a man who made far too many nefarious choices. 'It's what's best for your well being, Mija', she recalls her father say solemnly, clasping her hand in his when he gave her the news she had to leave New York to, in a gentle way of saying, be out of his way and wicked games. 'It's whats safest for her, Hiram' she could hear her mother's voice in her head as she replayed the wretched conversation in her head. She shook her head and brushed through her raven waves before sliding her feet into her Christian Louboutin So Kate's, ready for the day.
God, just how much she wished she truly didn't have to rely on her parents. She was nearing twenty years of age, giving her parents the perfect excuse to send her off to a ghost town alone, yet she was forbidden to get her trust fund until she was twenty-one? What a sick joke.
She grabbed her Prada purse and left her bedroom, her confident and poised footsteps echoing through the empty Pembrooke penthouse as her heels clicked against the tiled floors.
"Good Morning, Miss Lodge," Andre, her guard– though, he felt more like her babysitter– said with a nod of his head, opening the door for her once she reached the empty lobby.
"Doesn't it tire you saying the same thing every morning, Andre?" was her witty retort, stepping out into the brisk morning air as she began her goal of the day to explore Riverdale.
"I'll keep note to say something else tomorrow, Miss Lodge," he replied, following her out. She raised a perfectly plucked brow and turned to face him.
"I don't need you to follow me today. Consider this your day off. I'm just going to walk around and see what there is."
"But Miss Lodge–"
"Miss Lodge is my mother," Veronica interrupted, "No one's here, Andre. You may call me by my name."
"Yes, ma'am."
"I'll be back in a few hours. I'll call you if I need a car." With another brow raising in warning, Andre nodded, succumbing to not face the wrath he knew he'd receive and went back inside the Pembrooke.
Veronica smiled in victory and walked along as she looked over the boutiques and businesses lining the streets, nothing seeming to catch her eye until she saw a young woman with a blonde ponytail and pink sweater pinning something on a board and wrote over top with a marker as she walked past a shop. Her brow raised in interest as she stepped back, looking up to see The Register written in bold atop the small building and stepped inside, a small bell alerting anyone inside of her presence.
"If you have anything rumor related, Kevin handles the gossip column," the blonde said, too captivated by her board to look over to Veronica.
"This towns so small the citizens are the celebrities to the gossip?"
The blonde's head snapped towards Veronica before her brows raised registering who was standing in front of her.
"You must be new in Riverdale. I'm so sorry, but stay a little longer in this town and you'll see what I mean," she laughed lightly as she set her marker down and held out her hand. "Betty Cooper. I run The Register. It's Riverdale's daily newspaper, kind of the family business."
"Ah, very nice," Veronica smiled, shaking her hand. "Veronica Lodge. I just moved into the Pembrooke and I'm still trying to get acquainted to everything."
"Lodge? Is your mom Hermione by any chance?"
Veronica held back a sigh before smiling lightly and nodding, afraid of what this sweet girl has heard. "Yeah. Hermione and Hiram are my so-called parents," she said with a half-hearted laugh.
"Sorry if that came off as intrusive– it's the Nancy Drew in me," Betty joked with a smile. "My mom and your mom were friends here in high school. Alice Cooper, if your mom's ever mentioned it."
"Truth be told, my parents haven't really told me much about their history in Riverdale. Or anything about Riverdale."
"Well, you've come to the right place," Betty smiled warmly. "Kevin's not in yet but he's the true gossiper and know-it-all when it comes to the drama in Riverdale, but I do know a lot, if I do say so myself," Betty playfully dusted off her shoulder.
Veronica smiled. "Would you want to pick up some coffee with me right now and discuss all the enthralling details over a latte? My treat."
"How sweet. Yes, of course, Veronica. I'd love to. I have some free time now, anyway," Betty said with a smile as she grabbed her keys and coat. "I know a place. Have you been to Pop's?"
"Pop who?"
Betty laughed lightly as the girls stepped out and she locked the door. "Pop's is the best diner ever... probably the oldest, too, but they have the best milkshake's you'll ever have."
"Hm, sounds good. Does a 'Pop' work there as well?"
"How'd you know?" The girls looked to each other and laughed as they made the short walk to the diner, both already feeling confident their first meeting would turn into a friendship.
"So, what's so interesting about Riverdale?" Veronica asked, interlocking her hand through Betty's as she had her hands fitted into her pockets for warmth.
"Well, for one, we have the North side and South side."
Veronica raised a brow, "Like a nice part of town and a bad side of town?"
"Well," Betty drawled out, "you can sort of put it that way. We, um," she cleared her throat, "the South side has a gang; two gangs, actually. The Serpents and The Ghoulies."
Veronica couldn't help but snort. "How could I ever possibly take a man seriously when he's threatening me saying he's a 'ghoulie'? Trust me. I've known and seen far worse."
"The Ghoulies are sex and drug traffickers. They're disgusting people. Absolute scum at the bottom of the drain," Betty said distastefully, making Veronica's brows raise hearing the sweet, girl-next-door speak with such hatred.
"Wow, you really hate them, don't you?"
"They're disgusting. The Serpents are no better, yes, I know, but at least they have morals to not sell women. The Serpents mainly deal with weapon shipments, running the South, and the liquor distribution within the town. They're also a bike gang, so if you see anyone clad in a leather jacket, just keep your distance. Juggie might be nice to me but it doesn't mean he'll be nice to you."
"Juggie? Who's Juggie?" Veronica teased.
"Oh," Betty blushed, causing Veronica's interest to pique. She nudged Betty's shoulder playfully, their height perfect with Veronica in heels since she was slightly shorter. "Jughead is my... good friend. He's the leader of the Serpents."
"Hmm. This Jughead of yours sounds like a tall drink of water," Veronica hummed.
"He is sexy..." Betty mused. "Especially with the happy face tattoo he has on his butt."
"Betty!" Veronica exclaimed, both girls laughing as Veronica's head dropped back.
"I can't help it, the guys a dream. Tall, dark hair, blue eyes, and such a bad boy, mmm mmm."
"Mmm, sounds like he's straight out a romance novel. Is there any more of those in town?"
"I'd be lying if I said there weren't good looking guys in Riverdale. Jug's the first person I've ever been serious with. And there's the matter of fact that everyone and their mother has had a crush on Archie Andrews one point in their life... including me."
"Archie Andrews," Veronica repeated, seeing how the name felt rolling off her tongue. "And who exactly is this Archie? A ghoul? A slithering, sneaky Serpent who bites into your neck with his venomous fangs?"
Betty laughed. "He's like the celebrity of the town for the North side. Him and all the Bulldogs are treated like gold." When Veronica furrowed her brows, Betty further explained. "Bulldogs is the name of our college football team. They're by far the best on the east coast, which is why Riverdale is proud of them for getting our little old town on the map."
"Such a small town, but so much character. What do you say you and I go visit your bad boy Juggie and his gang to see if I can find a flavor of my own?"
Betty laughed lightly shaking her head amused as they went up the steps into Pop's diner. "Maybe, yeah, I like that idea. I don't see him enough since South siders on the North territory or vice versa is so frowned upon. Unfortunately, mine and Jug's relationship was made public by a Twitter post from the town's drama queen."
"Sounds so... high school. And this drama queen wasn't Kevin?"
"No, shockingly, not this time," Betty laughed. "Kevin's a very loyal friend. I'll introduce you both."
"I really like the sound of that." Veronica smiled lightly as an elderly man gave Betty and Veronica a smile once they approached the counter.
"Morning, Betty. The usual?" Pop asked with his usual warm grin as he rang it up on the register.
"Morning, Pop. Make it two, please. This is Veronica Lodge, she's just moved into Riverdale."
"Veronica Lodge, you look just like your mother, same eyes. It's nice having you in town, sweetheart. These are on me."
"Oh, Pop, that's so kind. Thank you, but you don't have to. Truly," Veronica protested with a smile as she pulled her wallet out her purse.
"I insist. You tell your mom a double blended strawberry shake is waiting for her."
"I'll be sure to mention it next time I talk to her," Veronica said, being sure to put a hefty tip in the tip jar when Pop turned away.
"Pop's the sweetest man you'll ever meet. None of the residents could live without a Pop's shake."
"Very sweet," Veronica agreed, nodding as she crossed her arms waiting for their drinks, before tires screeching outside caught her attention. Multiple pick up trucks parked outside the shop with music blaring as boys piled out in athletic shorts and duffle bags, pushing their way against each other into the diner.
"And those are the golden boys of Riverdale," Betty said with a light nudge to Veronica's side as a few of the muscular men rang out cat calls to Veronica. Veronica scoffed and rolled her eyes. She could never handle bullshit like that, especially as a New York resident, so Riverdale was going to be no different.
"No wonder they're called Bulldogs," Veronica said loudly, "They clearly look and smell like mutts."
A few of the guys made out more catcalls and howled at her comment as a tall, muscular young man with dark hair and brown eyes pushed through the guys to get closer to her. He raised a thick brow as he looked over her body, a smirk forming on his plump lips as he nodded towards her.
"Who the hell's the new girl and why hasn't she used that smart mouth for something useful?" he winked knowingly as Veronica rolled her eyes at his sexual innuendo, the guys behind them laughing as they urged him on.
"Reggie, do you always have to be so immature?" Betty asked with a roll of her eyes, crossing her arms as she stood beside Veronica.
"Wasn't asking you, Snake Slut, now was I?" Reggie hissed back, cocking his head at Betty. "I bet that little bitch boyfriend of yours can't even make you cum without a–"
"Fucking pig," Veronica sneered, grabbing a milkshake off someone's table and throwing it at his face as the Bulldogs all laughed and howled watching the scene as she glared up at the six foot figure. "Reggie, was it? You really are a 'bulldog', aren't you? Ready to hump anything and everything in sight, barking up a storm when it's not your turn to speak. It seems like you're the little bitch in heat that needs to be put to rest."
Reggie's nostrils flared as the pink milkshake dripped down his face and chest as the Bulldogs howled in laughter banging on the tables. He stepped closer as she held her ground, not a bit intimidated by the foot height difference.
"You better not talk to me like that again, little rich bitch. Coming in hear acting like some bougie cunt isn't gonna work in Riverdale. How many cocks did you suck for the bag you're holding? Or do you jerk off your own stepdad to get a good allowance every month–"
Reggie was pushed away from Veronica as the captain of the team took charge.
"Mantle. How many times have I told you to get your shit together if you wanna be co-captain? Don't say shit like that to girls. Ever." He pushed at Reggie's chest again. "Go wash up."
Veronica looked up at the man who stopped the Asian prick she was so close to strangling with her bare hands and was speechless to see the most handsome– scratch that– stupid hot, insanely sexy redhead she's ever seen. His sharp, defined jaw was clean shaven, revealing the ticking muscle as he had it clenched before his eyes went down to Veronica. Sharp Roman nose, full brows, and lips she was ready to be breathless from kissing.
"Thank you," she finally said, looking away from his lips and up at his eyes. Whiskey eyes that could get her addicted like Hennessy, she bit her bottom lip and held out her hand. "Ronnie– Well, Veronica, but my knight in shining gym armor can call me by my nickname."
He smiled lightly and chuckled, the sound itself getting Veronica ready to jump his bones. The girl was no saint and it seemed like he wasn't either. He took her delicate hand in his hold and shook her hand, and she couldn't help but notice how the size of his large hands completely engulfed hers.
"Archie. Nice to meet you. You okay? Reggie's just a dick, I'll talk some sense into him."
'So this is the infamous Archie. Certainly has my La Perla's ruined after today', Veronica thought mischievously to herself.
"You're so sweet, Archiekins, but I think I'm gonna be okay. I'm a big girl," she said with a wink, making him laugh lightly and nod.
"Yeah, I believe that."
They looked down and realized they were still holding each other's hands, and Veronica couldn't help but be brazen as she looked up at him with a sinful smile. "Long fingers, I'm sure they're very useful when it comes to...football."
Archie's brow perked up as he licked his lips, completely enthralled in the stunning new girl in town. He couldn't help but eye her long legs in her short, black skirt and the way it hugged her ass perfectly when he saw her through the window outside of Pop's. He had to adjust himself in his shorts when he felt his cock twitch seeing her smooth thighs and the hint of the curve of her ass before it disappeared into her skirt. He didn't expect Veronica to be so outspoken when he walked inside the diner, it truly did catch him off guard when she flirted with him so provocatively. But, he should've expected that from the first girl to ever talk Reggie Mantle down to the ground. He just wished he saw it all since he went to the restroom to wash up and didn't see exactly how and why it progressed to Mantle covered in dairy.
The corner of his lips pulled up as he smirked down at her, catching sight of her cleavage from the low neckline of her shirt. "If you want to see how I can use these fingers then you should let me take you out sometime."
Veronica's smirk widened as she looked up at him with her chin tilted up because of their immense height difference. "I stay at the Pembrooke. Pick me up tomorrow at 8."
"I've got a game tomorrow. Maybe I'll see you there."
"Archiekins, you'll see me there wearing a cheer uniform just for you."
She gave him a wink and grabbed her to-go cup of her latte with Betty and gave him a formal kiss on each cheek before patting his chest, absently sliding her hand down to feel his abs beneath his shirt. She smirked lightly to herself feeling him clench his abs under her touch.
She had an affect on him. Good.
"See you tomorrow, Ronnie."
"I'm counting down the hours."
With a final flirtatious smirk in his direction, Veronica left Pop's diner with Betty by her side.
"You... are something else," Betty finally said, shaking her head laughing quite stunned.
"Let me tell you something, Betty. I like you, I'm going to pursue you to be my friend- my best friend if I can make it happen. When I want something, I get it. And right now, all I want is a taste of ginger I've never had before."
"So no more 'South side' flavor for you?" Betty asked amused.
Veronica shook her head as she walked with confident strides in her pumps. "We can still see your tall, dark, and handsome snake but I've had every bad boy you can think of, but this ones unlike any other. I want him, and I will have him. You can put that as your article for the morning news."
Betty laughed as she hooked her arm into Veronica's, all the while Archie watched them walk away as he sat at a booth with a breakfast burrito plated in front of him. He shook his head thinking of the girl he just met and murmured to himself, "She's gonna kill me."
Reggie chewed with an open mouth barely washed up and shrugged. "All good pussy kills you, bro."
"Shut up and eat your food."
He shook his head and watched as Veronica's petite figure was no longer in sight, wishing he at least got her number.
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