"I want you to tell me Archie if you love me?"

She was sobbing like she used to when her parents would fight. But her silent tears brought no comfort.

"Betty, you know I love you, but we cannot be what you want us to be. We are very different from each other. You're so perfect and I know I'll never be good enough for you."

How can I be perfect Archie, I'm a mess. Betty thought to say.

"I am sorry Betty, I don't want to hurt you"

"Just go, just ….I really cannot… tonight" her words caught in her throat, but what she wanted to say was clear in her mind. Why don't I get a say in this? Why is my 'perfection' an issue? What about Veronica, how are you two alike? Just go, I have no idea what else to say tonight.

Archie turned back, reluctantly, leaving the blonde girl alone. A night like this should have been beautiful, memorable. Something they would remember when they looked through their yearbooks, at school reunions and when they would walk past the high school building. But Betty had not yet found a moment she could write down in her journal without felling so alone.

Betty knew if she went inside her house her mother's inquiries would attack her. Her constant good natured-ness didn't not have a clause for her daughter's privacy. She sat there on the porch waiting, but she didn't know what she was waiting for.

Will I ever get my friends back? Archie? Veronica?

She wanted to talk to a friend, or just be with one. But it dawned on her that she might not have anyone, at least not tonight. She could only call Kevin, but he was probably at an after party, or an after -after party. Kevin was a good ally to have, but his views on this situation would not help. He would ask her to pursue the red haired boy further.

Betty had only one place left to go, a place that made her feel safe, a place that reminded her of her happy past, when this mess was unimaginable. When Riverdale was the innocent town.

The only place left to go was Pops. Betty had fond memories of being in a booth with Archie and Jughead, both of whom she seemed to have lost. She thought maybe it wasn't a good idea to go because it might remind her of her loneliness.

But the ringing of the bells on entering the diner brought a smile to her face. She sat down in a booth, still in her dress though she'd kicked off her heels. Pops brought a milkshake for her, a chocolate sundae, her favourite.

"Thanks Pops" the old man smiled back at her. Maybe it wasn't so bad. Maybe we all will forget what happened and move on. But deep inside she wasn't ready to move on.

"You two are the only high schoolers who are not at the dance, I didn't think I'd have any business tonight"

"Two?" Betty asked "It's just me Pops, everybody is either getting drunk or getting high."

"Not him" Pops turned to the booth behind her.

Betty turned too to see who Pops was talking about. "Jughead?!"

Jughead had heard parts of the conversation, and was sheepishly waving at Betty "Hi" he said sipping his espresso.

Of course, Betty didn't think she'd find her old friend. Now that she thought of it, she had come to Jughead's second home. Though not on purpose. She didn't know if she should initiate a conversation. Since she was down a friend, this seemed like a good opportunity to get back one. A lot of time had passed since they last spoke to each other. She wondered if he had changed at all.

Before she could say anything, Jughead started "Would you like to join me?"

Still a gentleman "Sure" Betty said without thinking. The silence ensued. Naturally, what could we, two old friends, talk about? Awkward.

Betty's feet still hurt, from walking in her high heels. Her mother had somehow convinced her that they were part of the dress code. At this point she was more tired than sad or lonely.

Would they stop being friends? Would Archie realise that he does love Betty like she loves him? And Veronica? What about her promise to stop being the rich bitch ice princess? It had barely been a week of Veronica Lodge, was she already showing her true colours? And Cheryl? God Cheryl had some vendetta against every person in Riverdale High, probably a vendetta against the whole town.

Betty didn't know what to say, she was on the edge, her painted nails were digging into her palms.

Jughead had nothing to do with it, she couldn't be mean to him. She knew she couldn't take this anger out at anybody. She would always be the girl next door in everyone's eyes. Maybe she should stop trying to be more than that.

"So betty, how are you back from the dance at just, what time is it, midnight"

"What?" she sounded dazed.

"I just meant that most people, um stay out all night, at after parties, and don't even go home. Not that I know what really happens at these parties or even at the dances"

"Well I am… still out, I'm not at home, what are you doing here? And you weren't at the dance either." Betty decided they couldn't just pick up where they last left off, small talk was the only answer.

"I am just… nothing, I'm not doing anything, just enjoying the free space at pops, and his gourmet cuisine" Jughead hadn't really thought why he was here. He never needed a reason to be at Pops.

"Not the usual crowd, huh, same reason I'm here" the same thing plagued their minds, but none were ready to say it.

"Do you maybe want to eat something" his voice down to a whisper

"I'm starving…I think I'll just…"

He surprised her saying "Hey Pops, can we get a cheeseburger, extra cheese, and fries, extra fried?"

"Coming right up" chimed Pops.

"You remember my order? Should I be creeped out or impressed?"

"I think I'd prefer the latter. And you don't need to be creeped out, we're just a couple of old friends hanging out at an empty diner"

"Well it is nice to talk to you, after such a long while" she sighed. She felt calmer. She didn't feel like worrying about tomorrow right now.