The 2018 Yearly 365 Challenge
Prompt #344 (Emotion) Delighted
The room was bathed in soft light. The shadows against the walls were fading into grayness as the night darken going on to the midnight hour.
Veronica: I'm so glad that you could come over tonight B.
Betty: Me too. (Sighing) Mom of course put up with a fight. But dad told me just to go and not to worry about it. (A grim smile) I would have come either way. After all there is no way mom can stop me from being friends with you.
Veronica: (Sighing deeply) Not that she doesn't try every single second. (Reaching over to place her hand over the blonde's next to her on the comforter) I'm sorry that I'm just adding even more tension between you and your mom B. That was never my intentions.
Betty: You didn't do anything wrong Veronica. I have a feeling that even if you and I met later on in life ... the moment she learned that your mother was Hermione; then she would have hated you no matter what.
Veronica: So change in subject?
Betty: Yeah. (Relieved that they could move pass this topic. After all she didn't want to spend all night discussing her mother's unreasonable hatred towards Veronica and her mother.) Shit I can't think of anything.
Veronica: Hey no pressure B. We don't have to talk you know.
Betty: I'm sorry. (Shaking her head annoyed that her mother had successfully destroyed her time with Veroncia yet again).
The scene changes to Pop's diner where at a booth sat a group of boys.
Jughead: Did you guys have to sit here? (Frowning as he tapped his coffee mug).
Archie: Play nice Jug.
Reggie: Yeah Jug please nice. (His smirk grew on his lips.)
Moose: No offense man there are no other tables left. You know the rule at Pop's if they are full up; and you know people then you are allowed to share their space.
Jughead: I shouldn't have come in. I saw how crowded it was when I was walking up. (Lifting the mug up to his lips.)
Archie: If Betty where here then you wouldn't mind it Jughead. (He smiled knowning).
Jughead: Betty doesn't run my life; Archie. (Frowning in annoyance as he set the cup back on the small plate). Not how you allow ... (Pausing because he didn't want to get into it with the others around. Sides a over throwing Pops wasn't the time for this conversion).
Archie: What?! (He had stiffened up at Jughead's tone). I asked you a question Jughead Jones!
Moose: You two fighting again. (Sighing as he sunk his back against the booth even more) I thought you two were passed your anger against one another.
Reggie: Let them fight Moose. We'll get a literal front row seat here. (Clapping his hands against the table top.)
Archie and Jughead: Shut up Reggie!
Reggie: See Moose these two are fine. Aren't you delighted that truly nothing can destroy the friendship of Archie and Juggie. (Placing the palm of his left hand against his cheek) You two need a ship name. I mean granted you two would never ever fall for one another. But come on your broamnce needs to be honored.
Jughead: Shut up.
Reggie: Urchie. That sounds so much better then Bughead.
Archie: Shut up Reggie! (He grabbed hold of Reggie's shirt label seeing how the brunette was sitting next to him. He turned his heated eyes to meet those smirking ones of the other teen). Just shut your damn mouth all ready.
Reggie: I know you wish it was Barchie; Archie. But you blew your chance when you told Betty that you would never return her feelings. (His smirk grew) you are just stuck with Varchie. (Snorting) If that.
Archie's hand tightened against the labels of Reggie's shirt. His temper rose and his free hand rose to hit Reggie straight in the face. Before he brought his fist forward he sat as still as stone.
Reggie: Can't do it can you Archie? (He spoke in a low and calm serious voice).
Archie: Don't go after Betty. (His voice was like granite). Do you here me Reggie. You don't get to go after Betty!
Jughead took a sip from his coffee with a very deep thoughtful look in his eyes. He remained silent. Although seeing how he was Betty's current boyfriend; it was his right to defend his girlfriend. But he knew that Archie was Betty's best friend ... and this matter was more dealing with Archie's feelings towards Betty ... so he didn't really have a say in the matter.
The scene switches back to Veronica's bedroom where the two girls are now lying side by side on the bed. Their arms at their sides, and interlocking where their bodies met.
Veroncia: Archie and I broke up.
Betty: Don't worry. It won't be long. (Her head turned to look at the profile of the brunnett). You two seem to break up, and make up every other month.
Veronica: (Turning so she could rest on her side; she waited for Betty to turn her body towards her. Resting her head on her right arm). It's offical this time. We sat down and really talked. We decided that we honesty had no real future with one another. We care too deeply for one another to keep dating one another. When we both knew that we won't going to last. (Sighing deeply) We decided that we didn't want to chance our true friendship on trying to make a high school relationship work. We knew that it could end very bittery. We didn't want to destroy our friendship for a lost romance.
Betty: I'm sorry Ronnie. I know that this has to be very hard on both of you.
Veronica: Are you upset with me for hurting Archie? (Soft and sad chocolate brown eyes met the concerned sea of blue green eyes within a few inches from her own). I know that you don't like it when he gets hurt. I didn't set out to hurt him Betty. (Tears welled up in her eyes as she lost the will to speak another word).
Betty silently scooted closer to her best friend. Wrapping her arms around Veronica's thin body; and pulling her into her. She felt where Veroncia's face met her neck at the feel of the slightly shorter girl's tears against her skin. She made shushing noises as Veronica broke in her arms. Her own blue green eyes grew drewy as she held her heartbroken friend in her arms. She knew that Veronica's heart was broken due to the loss of Archie ... no Betty knew that Veronica and Archie weren't soulmates. No she knew that Veronica's heart was broken because she thought that Betty was angry; and hurt by her breaking up with Archie. For perhaps breaking Archie's heart and soul in a false relationship.
Betty: I'm not upset with you Veronica. (She gently placed her lips against Veronica's forehead). How can I be? I mean yea it sucks that your relationship with Archie truly didn't work out the way he wanted it to. But I know you; Ronnie. I know that you truly did have real feelings for Archie when you agreed to go out with him. When you agreed to be his girlfriend. I know that you truly did hope that it would lead to something deep and real.
Veronica: I shouldn't have bedded him. Not when things were still up in the air. I should have realized that I would just hurt him deeply in the end if we didn't have something solid. Something real. Something lasting. (She pulled away from the blonde. She couldn't be in Betty's arms for this part). I knew that when Archie allows his heart and soul to fall for someone; that it would be deeply. (Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks). I still view sex as causal. He isn't like that. I knew that going in. I shouldn't have slept with him.
Betty: I can never hold this against you Veronica. (She gently brushed aside some of Veronica's fallen hair from her eyes). Archie will be fine.
The scene changes to just outside the Andrew's house; where only the porch light was on to bathe the walk way in a soft light.
Jughead: How are things between you and Veronica?
Archie: We broke up for good. We finally realized that we are better as close friends then lovers. (His hands were in his jacket pockets as he stood in the center of his walkway.)
Jughead: Are you sure that this isn't just a small break?
Archie: Not this time. We feel that in order to save and protect our friendship ... then it's best that we end the romance now. Not to try to push the romance to a bitter end. (His lips lifted before lowered) ... we both knew we both are too stubborn to let something go. That if we had kept on trying to make our romance to be ever lasting ... then we would in turn hate one another.
Jughead: That's very mature of you Arch. (He noticed Archie's eyes look toward's Betty's house. His heart hurt as the thoughts that raced through his mind). So what was that back at the diner? (He didn't notice that his voice held a hard note to it).
Archie: (He didn't miss the hard note in his best friend's voice. But he misread it) You know that I don't like it when anyone attacks Betty like that. Reggie knew better. (His hands turned into fists inside his pockets; as his body tightened).
Jughead eyes narrowed as he studied his best friend across from him.
Jughead: Reggie wasn't attacking Betty. He was just making his usual lame ass jokes.
Archie: They weren't funny. (His eyes darkened as he thought back to Reggie's so called comments. He should have decked him when he had the chance).
He jerked his head towards his front door. He followed Jughead up the steps to his house. He allowed Jughead to unlock the door using his own personal key; there was no way he could remove either clenched hand from his jacket pockets at the moment.
Fred: You are in late boys. I expected you home two hours ago. (He frowned deeply at the two teenage boys from where he was leaning against the living room wall).
Jughead: Sorry Mr. Andrews. Pops was very crowded and it took forever to get our orders. We should have called and let you know. Or texted you.
Fred: Yes you should have. It is so much easier on you kids now a days to just send a text from your cell phones. In my day we had to find a payphone. (Shaking his head). Next time I expect you to use your cells. (He looked into his son's hard eyes). Archie?
Archie: Yeah I get it Pop. I screwed up. I'll make sure to shoot you a text next time I know I'll be late. Am I grounded for missing curfew? (He didn't realize that he was staring at his father with such anger in his eyes; and that his hands were still clenched inside his jacket pockets).
Fred: No son. (He knew his son wasn't being defitant on purpous. He knew that his boy was hurt to the core; and that he needed comfort in order to calm down). I know how it is to lose track of time. I was just worried is all.
Archie: (Swallowing as he fully realized how worried his father truly was. He unclenched his hands; and withdrew them from his pockets). Sorry Pop. I wasn't thinking. It won't happen again.
Fred: (Walking over to his son; and placing his right hand on Archie's stiff left shoulder blade). What's going on son?
Archie: (Suddenly realizing how tightly wound up he was). Nothing. Nothing that I can't handle. (He looked over at Jughead). Nothing that Jughead and I can't handle.
Fred: Okay son. Boys it's late. So I suggest you don't stay up too much longer. After all I do need your help around the house tomorrow. (Smirking slightly) Sorry I mean later on today. (He patted his son on the back as he moved passed him; and he patted Jughead's shoulder).
Jughead: Night Sir.
Archie: Night dad. Promise that we'll be asleep within an hour. (He watched as his father made his way upstairs). Want some hot coco before we go to sleep?
Jughead nodded as he followed the ginger haired teen towards the kitchen. He sat at the kitchen table as Archie made the coco. A thoughtful crease to his brow.
The scene changes to darken bedroom of Veroncia. Where both teenage girls had finally made themselves comfortable underneath the covers. Veronica was resting her head against Betty's collar bone; as the blonde was stroaking her hair.
Veronica: Be ...
Betty: No more words tonight Ronnie. We need to get some rest. Things will look better in brightness of a new day. (She kissed the top of her best friend's head). Just get some much needed rest.
Veronica knew that Betty meant what she said. That if she tried to force the conversion then Betty would just shut down. She knew that both of them needed some rest before the contiuned this much needed deeper conversion. She squeezed Betty's side to let the blonde that she agreed with her.
Veronica: I'm so greatful to have you in my life B. I wouldn't know what I would do if you hadn't come into my life when you did. Fate knew what it needed to do when it finally brought you and I together.
Betty: I have to agree with you Veroncia. Now try to get a good nights sleep now. (She kissed brunnette's head once more). Good night Ronnie.
Veronica: (Softly smiling). Good night B. (She placed a kiss against the smooth skin that was just above Betty's nightgrown chest line). Sweet dreams B. (Her eyes drifted closed).