Chapter 1
The beginnings of a beautiful friendship
"Too bad, buddy. We're all set up and we're not moving now. You shoulda got here earlier." The paunchy, greasy man's breath stank of stale beer. His person, however, was charming compared to his attitude.
"Dude. We have a reservation. We've paid for this spot: you can't stay here. I'll call the Rangers."
"Call the fucking Rangers then, smart ass. This is a long weekend, the place is packed. It'll take them hours to get here and you'll be rained out long before then."
With that, he turned and stumbled triumphantly back to his chair, beer in hand and arrogant smirk in place. He let out a loud belch and waggled his fingers at the two irate young men.
"Well fuck."
"Language, Arch."
"Screw off, Jug. What are we supposed to do now? This place is full and he's probably right about the Rangers. God knows where the nearest hotel is. I thought Canadians were supposed to be all polite and shit."
"Most of us are. Don't let a few bad apples spoil the bunch." They whirled around at the sound of the new voice and came face to face with a pretty blonde girl, jug of water balanced on her hip and lips quirked in a half-smile.
Archie, ever eloquent in the presence of attractive women, appeared to trip over his own tongue and didn't answer. Falling into his role of rescuer-slash-spokesman with the ease of many years of practice, Jughead smiled ruefully and explained away his friend's apparent lack of manners.
"Sorry... he doesn't mean anything by it. He's just needled because this charming group of people has shanghaied our reservation and now we have to find a plan B before it rains."
"I know, I heard. The whole park is full though. How did you guys get here?" She looked around, not seeing a car.
"Greyhound. We hiked from the station. We should have been here hours ago but the bus was delayed. Do you know of any motels around here?"
"Sorry, there's nothing at all around here." The girl glanced over her shoulder, chewing on her lip. She appeared to be thinking something over. "We have room in our site though."
Jughead looked at her, bewildered. "What do you mean?"
"I mean we have room. We've got a double site but our buddies left earlier today. You can have their half." The blonde girl looked at him like it should have been obvious.
"You would just let two strange men set up camp, meters from your personal space?" Jughead wasn't sure if this girl was out to prove that Canadians really are that nice, or if she was just plain crazy.
"What difference does it make? We're sleeping in a tent, for goodness' sake. If you were axe murderers, ten feet of brush wouldn't stop you and neither will a nylon hut. Besides, Ron's scarier than either of you two."
Archie finally found his voice. "Who's Ron?"
The mysterious benefactor laughed. "My partner in crime. Are you coming? It's going to rain tonight and you should probably get a tarp up before that happens. Nothing worse than wet ground for setting up a tent. Onwards!"
With that, she turned on her heel and marched into the next campsite. The two men looked at each other, eyebrows raised. The shorter one, Archie, shrugged and moved to follow her. Jughead shouldered his pack with a sigh and trudged after him. Archie's weakness for a pretty face was going to get them murdered one of these days.
...
"V! Come and meet our new friends!"
A feminine voice sounded from inside a massive multi-roomed tent. "I swear to God, Betty Cooper, if you try to rescue one more forest animal..."
The blonde girl, Betty, laughed. "But they were lost and afraid and they followed me home." She turned to wink at the boys. "And they're sooo cute!"
"I don't care! We already have half a shelter at home and I'm not making room for a bear cub or a fox cub or a damn Chicago Cub! Unless it's Kris Bryant."
Jughead couldn't help laughing out loud.
"V, get out here before you embarrass yourself."
"A person who is within her dignity is never embarrassed." The tent flaps opened with a dramatic snap and out stalked a vision which would surely haunt dreams.
A tiny Latina woman, maybe five feet tall, with her hair set in ridiculous Velcro rollers and wearing fuzzy pink pyjamas decorated with clouds and smiling-faced suns looked at them in surprise through enormous cat-eyed glasses. What appeared to be a pearl necklace rested around her throat and her feet were encased in purple Uggs.
"Speaking of dignity," muttered Betty under her breath.
"Frank Gilbreth," supplied Jughead, earning a look of surprise from both girls.
"I'm impressed, stranger. Betty, what's going on?"
Jughead shrugged. "Cheaper by the Dozen is one of my favourite movies. I'm Jughead Jones. This is Archie Andrews and we are but stranded forest creatures in need of shelter and protection from the elements. Your friend kindly offered to let us crash on your doorstep for the night." He sent a cheeky grin her way and bowed in mock obeisance.
Betty laughed and nodded her confirmation. "Thing One from next door apparently doesn't care about reservations and weaselled into these guys' spot. I said they could take Kevin's half since the whole park is booked solid. Guys, this is Ron."
"Really?" Archie couldn't stop the almost-laugh that escaped.
"Something funny, Mr Andrews?" Veronica asked silkily.
Archie turned red and coughed 'Uh, no...just your friend...Betty, is it?... said that Ron was scarier than both of us. Scary's not the first word I would have used to describe you, that's all."
Veronica regarded him with a stare that was just short of venomous and purred in a sweet voice that somehow rippled with both ice and danger "Don't judge a book by its cover, Archiekins," then flashed him a smile that was all milk-shakes and chick-flicks.
Archie, if possible, turned even redder and whispered to Jughead "And I'm convinced... and terrified."
Jughead shoved Archie's shoulder and whispered back "You accepted the invite, dude. Make your bed and lie in it."
Betty was standing close enough to overhear the exchange but studiously ignored it. She cleared her throat loudly and nodded her chin in the direction of the empty space. "Anyway. It really is supposed to rain tonight, and given your crack about Canadians earlier," she looked pointedly at Archie, "I'm going to assume that you're unfamiliar with Vancouver rainstorms."
Archie had the grace to blush, and apologise. "I'm sorry, I really was just annoyed. Every other person we've met has been extremely friendly. Case in point..." he gestured vaguely around the campsite.
"Yes, yes. We're all warm welcomes and apologies," Veronica huffed. "Betty's right though. My hair was pure frizz so we're definitely in for some weather. Make yourselves at home." She spun around in a whirl of pink flannel and returned to the tent.
Betty shook her head fondly and said in a quiet aside "Veronica Lodge, ladies and gentlemen. To know her is to love her. I'm Betty Cooper, by the way. Need any help setting up?"
Jughead grinned at her self-deprecatingly. "Outward appearances to the contrary, we're actually semi-equipped for this. Thanks, though."
"Okie. Yell if you need anything, eh?" Betty smiled and moved to the picnic table where she set her jug of water down and began scouting through coolers and containers.
Archie was already unloading the massive duffel bag that he wore like a rucksack, hauling out a tent and some poles. "What do you figure, man? Tent first then tarp? Then we have somewhere to stash our gear if it rains before we get the tarp up."
Jughead placed his bag on the ground and moved to help. After many, many years of camping together, the two worked seamlessly and had the tent up in no time.
"Pass me the hatchet, Arch. I want to drive these pegs in a bit better. The ground's really hard."
Before Archie could comply, a heavy multi-tool was slapped into Jughead's hand and he looked up in surprise. Veronica had already turned away and picked up their large tarp, shaking it out.
"Uh, thanks." He examined the tool she had handed him. It was a complicated Leatherman with a flattened end, perfect for driving small stakes into the ground. "Nice piece of kit. Where exactly did you hide it in that outfit?" He eyed her pocketless PJs curiously.
"A lady never tells," she said demurely. "Rule 9, boys. Never be without a knife."
Archie tripped over the tether he was tying down. "Oh my God, did you just quote Gibbs? I love NCIS!"
"Everyone loves NCIS. Mark Harmon is a total Daddy." Veronica rolled her eyes and began threading paracord through the tarp's eyelets.
"I'm sorry, a total what?" Jughead asked.
"Don't get her started...you really don't want to know." Betty came over, wiping her hands on a tea towel. "Are you guys hungry?"
"We've got food here. " Archie held up a can of Campbell's stew and pointed to the fireplace.
"Yeah...that's not food. That's emergency rations. I've got plenty here, I always cook too much. We're a little later than usual tonight, but I guess that worked out for the best." Betty returned to the picnic table and poked at something on a bright green hibachi grill. "Ten minutes kids. Keep them on schedule, V."
Veronica raised her right hand in a teasing salute.
"We're really fine... we don't want to impose, 'Jughead protested quietly to Veronica.
"Losing battle, friend. Betty's adopted you, and she loves feeding people."
"Talk about a friendship made in Heaven. Jughead loves to eat". Archie stood up and dusted his hands. "Is she always this nice?"
"Always. We've been inseparable since kindergarten and I don't think I've ever seen her be rude. Wicked temper when it's warranted, but otherwise generous to a fault and sweet as pie."
"No pie tonight, V. Oven's not big enough."
Archie looked over at Betty in surprise.
"Did you say oven? What oven?"
Betty pointed to a smoking cardboard box, sitting well away from the rest of the equipment.
"I learned how to do that in Brownies. I built an oven out of a cardboard box and tinfoil. 40 pieces of charcoal and a grill rack later, and you've got a perfectly functional oven, at least for small recipes. Five minutes."
She returned to her hibachi and started pulling foil packets off the grill, and replaced them with some almost-cooked sausages.
Veronica pulled the tarp towards the trees closest to the boys' tent. "You heard the lady, fellas. Let's get this tarp up."
Jughead reached for the massive blue cloth and said 'You really don't have to help, you know. We've already invaded your space."
Veronica held the tarp out of his reach. "What else am I going to do? Betty banished me from the kitchen after the grilled cheese fiasco, and I've already chopped enough firewood to last us at least three days. I'm not going to sit on my ass and watch the three of you work."
"Fair enough. What exactly are your plans for that tarp? I mean no disrespect, but you can't possibly reach high enough on the tree to string it up."
"Not for the lower end, but I'm definitely the only one here who can get the slant high enough. Believe me, you don't want a flat canvas in a rainstorm."
Archie interjected "Of course not, but how are you the only one able to get it high enough off the ground? You're knee-high to a grasshopper."
"Oh ye of little faith. Alright, Goliath, you go ahead and put it up. Call me when you realise you can't do the high part." She strolled over to an ancient pick-up truck and perched daintily on the tailgate.
Archie, looking both intrigued and slightly annoyed, muttered to Jughead "Bossy little thing. Does she think this is our first time camping?"
Jughead laughed and declined to answer. He had a feeling that the feisty brunette was the kind of person you definitely wanted to be friends with, especially if the only alternative was to have her as an enemy. He appreciated her unabashed confidence, too. It reminded him of his little sister.
They easily attached two corners of the tarp to a couple of trees, about six feet off the ground. Just enough to clear the top of the tent, but low enough to keep much rain from getting in sideways. Then they stood and surveyed the remaining trees, looking for a good spot to attach the higher corners.
"Those two, I think," said Jughead, pointing, "but we should have brought a smaller tarp; this one's way too big for the area. We're going to need a serious slope. I don't suppose you ladies have a ladder we could borrow?" Betty could see him trying not to laugh, as though he knew exactly what the answer would be.
Veronica examined her nail beds with apparent fascination. "What do you need a ladder for?"
Archie huffed in exasperation. "To get the tarp up high enough."
"No, we don't have a ladder," she answered, then mumbled just loudly enough: "not that you'd need one if you knew rule 28."
Jughead looked at Archie in confusion.
"If you need help, ask!" piped up Betty. "What? It's a good show" in response to Jughead's amused look.
"Fiiiiine. Miss Veronica, terrifying and knowledgeable, please grace us with your wisdom and help us to get this tarp up?" Archie gestured dramatically and clasped his hands.
"I do love to see a man beg. Betty! Assistance, please!" Veronica hopped down from the bed of the truck and plucked the tarp from Jughead's grasp. Betty met her at the base of the chosen tree and crouched slightly, feet firmly planted.
Jughead and Archie watched as Veronica slipped out of her Uggs and hopped nimbly on to Betty's thighs, then placed one foot in each of her waiting hands. Betty straightened up and counted sharply "One, two" as she smoothly raised her hands to shoulder height and locked her elbows at her sides. Veronica, 10 feet off the ground, wrapped the paracord around the tree and secured it with an efficient knot. She placed her hands on Betty's shoulders and was slowly lowered until she could slip her boots back on.
She turned to look at Archie and cocked her eyebrow, waiting. He looked completely flabbergasted, eyes like saucers and mouth agape. Jughead could hear Betty snickering as she made her way to the next tree. He met her eyes and they both chuckled.
Jughead's voice pierced Archie's startled fog. "What's the matter, Arch. Haven't you ever been to a cheerleading competition?"
"What?"
"Kirsten Dunst. You continue to impress, Mr Jones. I didn't think a cheerleading movie would be your thing."
"I confess, Miss Lodge, that I did enjoy that particular movie even though I didn't see it by choice. I worked in a drive-in when I was in high school."
"Interesting. And you recognised the stunt from that?"
"Not really; I saw the movie years ago. I recognised it from football. Archie was on the team and he used to make me come and watch the games."
"First of all, I didn't make you come. You said it was an important opportunity to study the social hierarchy and bizarre mating rituals of high school. Second of all, what the hell are you guys talking about?"
Veronica waved her hand from Jughead to Archie as she jumped onto Betty's lap once more. "You explain, Jones. I'm busy."
Jughead watched the two girls working like a single unit, and briefly explained the cult importance of 'Bring It On'.
"So, you girls were cheerleaders?" Archie asked as they regained terra firma.
"Are, actually. We're about to start our fourth year at SFU and we've been on the team since we were in first year," Betty answered as she returned to the table and started dishing up four plates. "We've got a couple of extra chairs here, if you want to sit around the fire. The sun's almost gone and it's going to get cold out soon."
...
"Oh my God, I'm never eating again. That was amazing, Betty. Thank you so much." Jughead leaned back in his chair and groaned slightly.
Betty had not been exaggerating when she'd said that she had cooked too much. Sausages, potatoes and fried onions, all perfectly cooked, with a fresh garden salad and home-made dressing had rendered the entire group silent while they ate. Jughead and Archie, while experienced campers, were not accustomed to eating real meals while out in the woods. They preferred to travel light and stick to things that could be heated over a campfire and stored without ice. Apparently, Betty and Veronica subscribed to a more civilised version of roughing it.
Betty moved to start collecting the empty plates and cutlery. "I hope you saved room for dessert," she said as she tossed the paper plates into the fire and placed the knives and forks in a basin of soapy water. She placed a kettle of water on the grill to heat, then fished some oven-proof tongs out of a box and cracked open her cardboard stove. "It's ready. Grab me a plate, V?"
Veronica pulled a heavy tin plate out of a box and held it so that Betty could place 4 tuna cans carefully on it. Jughead looked over interestedly. "What have you got there?" he asked.
Betty carried the tray to the table and started flipping the tuna cans upside down onto individual plates. "Pineapple upside-down cake," she answered, "and there's plenty to go round."
Jughead leapt from his chair unceremoniously, darting to the table to sniff at the tiny cakes appreciatively.
Archie laughed. "The way to Jughead's heart is through his stomach; bonus points if pineapple is involved. He's addicted to it; even puts it on his pizza." He grimaced at the thought.
"Archie, we've been over this a thousand times. Pineapple is the second most versatile fruit in the world, and has earned its place on pizza as well as in dessert."
Veronica surprised them all by adding her two cents; "No...I'm with Archie. Fruit does not belong on pizza."
Jughead clutched his heart. "I thought we were going to be friends, Veronica. Betty, stick up for me? You're obviously a pineapple lover."
"I am, and the only pizza worth eating is pizza with pineapples. It's the only flaw in an otherwise perfect relationship; V and I can't share a pizza." Betty sighed wistfully and then laughed. "It's all good though; I can eat a whole one by myself. Help yourselves, folks. These are not improved by being cold."
They settled back into their fireside chairs, plates of dessert in hand. Betty took the opportunity to study the two boys while they tucked into their cakes. They were both about 23; tall, around six feet with maybe an inch of difference between them. Archie had shocking red hair and freckles, and Betty could see that he was still built like a football player under his sweatshirt. He was handsome, in an all-American way, and he seemed nice enough, if slightly gaffe-prone.
Jughead couldn't have been more his opposite. He had dark, almost black, hair, and olive skin. His cheekbones were sharp and his eyes intense. His was not a conventional look, but Betty's guess would be that most girls looked twice at him, maybe without knowing why. He was slender, thoughtful and polite. Her instinct was that he was the more intelligent of the two, although there didn't seem to be a power struggle in their friendship. Well-matched, she decided, and probably long-time friends.
"You cooked, so I'll clean up, B." Veronica stationed herself at the picnic table and poured hot water into the basin. "Not that you left much to do. How did you get so good at cleaning while you cook?"
"Have you met my mother?"
"Right. Anyway, this is going to take like thirty seconds. What time is it?"
"It's 9 30" answered Archie. "There's still an hour until quiet time."
"Excellent." Veronica's grandmotherly look did not detract from her sarcastic sass. "We'll have plenty of time to break out the drum set, then."
Archie turned to look at her. "Are you going to bite my head off every time I speak? Not that I don't enjoy it, but I'd like to know what to expect."
"You wish, Red. I like my men on their toes." Veronica smirked at him and dropped him a slightly teasing wink. He laughed and toasted her with his water bottle.
"Anyone want a beer?"