Chapter 1

Van

"Riverdale looks like a second hasn't passed." he commented.

The old truck he sat in moved slowly through the town, so he could feel the breeze moving through his messy dirty blonde hair. He remembered running to that store as a kid to pick up something for his mom, the old bakery on the corner had the best maple muffins in the world, and around a corner was a fancy restaurant that he remembered being taken to for his birthday.

"Well it hasn't been a second, more six years." Uncle Fred joked.

Fred Andrews really was a flat out good guy. His mom always told him that she had been the troublemaker in the family, but Uncle Fred always helped her out when she needed it. The whole sibling comradery thing made him smile, imagining teenage versions of these adults he knew getting into messes but getting through it together.

"Archie's excited to see you, says having you here will be like having a brother."

He smiled, "Man, Archie hasn't changed too."

His cousin was still a good kid after all these years. From what he had heard, Archie was on the football team and still best friends with the girl next door. Basically, the all-American good guy. Which he thought was somewhat bullshit and vanilla but worked for his cousin. Mainly, because from the phone calls he had with him, Archie just didn't think bad thoughts. He was in the Riverdale bubble of innocence and small-town values. With all the shit that happened in the world and what he had seen, it was nice getting back to a place that felt more like a postcard alternate reality than the real world.

Well that bubble of innocence comment about Riverdale wasn't all true anymore.

The loud noise of a phone ringing interrupted his thoughts.

"Hello, Fred Andrews here."

He watched as his Uncle nodded along before agreeing and hanging up.

"Something up?" he asked.

His uncle nodded, "We were doing some night construction to meet a deadline, but something came up and they need me. I'll drop you off and drive over after."

"You know what, can I be let out here?" he pointed out the window at Pop's.

The truck pulled into the parking lot.

"Need a ride back?"

"It's fine, I think I'll walk back."

"Just be careful, the town isn't all the same, Nathaniel."

"I heard about Jason, and it's Van now."

He jumped out and pulled up the hood of his jacket. While he walked up to the entrance of the diner something in the window caught his attention. It may have been six years since he was gone but he recognized that red hair and that blonde ponytail anywhere. Archie and Betty had grown up a lot since they were kids but there was one thing that was the same, Betty still looked at Archie like he was the world and he was just looking in.

Betty was so pretty, he couldn't help staring. The delicate features on her face, the way her smile was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen. It was just like when he was a kid and he stared at her all day at school unless she was there. She was just as beautiful as Betty just in another way.

"So, this is the chock'lit shop." a voice interrupted his thoughts.

He turned to where a pretty girl with weirdly enough a black cloak stood. The girl was pretty, she had dark hair and pretty features, but it was the almost elegant feeling about her that stood out.

"New to town?" he tilted his head.

The girl nodded, "Veronica Lodge."

"Where you from?"

"New York."

"The city girl that moved to a small town. It's like you're the star of some cheesy movie."

"Does that make you my Prince Charming then?"

Looks like new girl was a flirt.

"You may be a princess but there's no such thing as Prince Charming, Lodge."

"Well you definitely aren't one. You never even gave me your name."

"Nathaniel Van Winters but call me Van."

"No, you can't tease me about being big city when that name screams classicism."

"Thus, Van." he retorted. "Now you wanna go inside or not? I'm sure you didn't just come here to tease me about my name."

She smiled, "You're right, I came to get dinner for my mother and I."

"Wanna meet my friends? I haven't seen them in six years but I'm sure they're as nice as I remember." he opened the door and walked inside before she could reply.

As soon as he walked in he felt all eyes on him. A small spark of recognition came to Archie's eyes when they made eye-contact, but his cousin's gaze zeroed in on the girl walking in behind him. While his gaze shifted to Betty, who was wondering why her crush was gawking. Up close she was even prettier.

"Betty Cooper, the girl wonder." he smiled as he walked up to them. "And my cousin."

Archie stood and pulled him into a bro hug, "Van, when did you get taller than me?"

"From what I remember I was always taller." he shrugged.

Betty gasped, "Wait, Nate?"

"Van, like I've always preferred." he corrected her.

The blonde ignored his comment to pull him into a tight hug.

"I didn't recognize you, you look so different." she pulled away.

He quipped, "Puberty does wonders. You, on the other hand always had the spot as smartest girl in Riverdale and now you're the prettiest too. C'mon Betty, that's a little unfair."

The way Betty's cheeks dusted with pink made his insides flip.

"Aren't you going to introduce me?" his newest friend interrupted.

He said, "Guys this is Veronica Lodge, she's new to town from New York. Lodge, this is girl wonder Betty Cooper and my cousin Archie Andrews."

"Wow, New York that's so cool." Archie commented.

His cousin was many things but smooth was not one of them.

"You're supposed to give me a tour tomorrow, right?" Veronica turned to Betty.

Betty nodded, "Yeah you and apparently the other transfer student."

"That's me." he leaned over and stole a sip of Betty's milkshake.

The blonde swatted playfully at his hand, "Nate that's so rude."

"Sorry, Betty and I told you it's Van. You're the only one that calls me that." he made a face.

Archie interrupted, "That's not true your m…"

Betty touched his cousin's arm to interrupt him, but the damage was done. He felt a familiar wave of conflicting emotions rise over him and the playful smile on his face disappeared.

"Order for Lodge!" Pop Tate yelled.

Veronica called, "Over here."

"Here you go two burgers, malts, and fries for you." the friendly older man handed over the bag to Veronica before walking off.

He took the bag from the girl's hand, "You know what guys, I'll accompany Veronica back it's good to have someone to walk with at night. I'll see you around Betty, see you at the house Archie."

Archie looked apologetic and like he wanted to say something but he walked away with a wave pulling Veronica along before his cousin could start.

They walked together on the street for maybe a minute before Veronica finally broke the silence.

"So wanna tell me what that was all about?"

"Don't worry, knowing this town you'll know all the details by second period tomorrow, Lodge. And you know, some people say the best part about meeting someone is the part when you're getting to know them not after."

"Nice avoiding the question, Van."

"Thanks, dodging conversations is a part of my many talents. Where are we walking anyway?"

"Pembrooke, and you're staying with your cousin?"

"Yeah, probably temporarily until I get my living situation all finished up. You nervous for school?"

"Definitely because I feel like I don't fit in this town at all."

He turned to her and saw the worry on her face. Veronica didn't seem like a girl that lacked confidence, but the situation was tough. Everyone that had to transfer schools or was dropped in a new situation felt that way.

"Fitting in is overrated and you've got me, your fellow transfer and misfit friend. But I feel like I should warn you that everyone will love you."

Veronica smiled, "Really and how do you know?"

"In my forty minutes of knowing you, I can say that you are very easy to like, Lodge. And this is where we go our separate ways."

They stood at the entrance of Pembrooke with Veronica a few stairs above him so despite his tall height, they were eye level.

"Thanks for walking me home."

"No problem." he handed the takeout bag over.

"And for being my first friend in Riverdale."

"Don't get all sappy on me now, Lodge."

"Why do you insist on calling me by last name?"

Maybe he liked that it bothered her a bit and he could tell. Guys probably fell over themselves trying to impress her all the time and seeing her perfection messed with a bit by something as little as not using her first name was satisfying. Or maybe he was just a guy that liked using last names. Probably a mixture of both.

He'd never tell her that, though.

"Good night, Lodge."

He winked at her and turned around, walking into the small town again.

"Good night, Van." she called after him.

He didn't respond, only smiling a bit to himself.

Veronica

"Betty, I love her." Kevin gushed.

After arriving at school, she had met up with Betty who had introduced her to the amazing Kevin Keller.

"The feeling is definitely mutual." she winked.

Betty laughed, "Well, I'm glad you two like each other."

"I have to run, I need to drop some stuff off at my locker, but I'll see you girls later." Kevin waved as he walked off.

She let Betty shoot off a few more facts about the school before she let her curiosity get the best of her.

"So, Van just got back after a while away?" she asked.

"Yeah, he left around six or seven years ago. He lived with his grandma in London for a while but apparently he decided that he wanted to come back home."

"You two seem close even though he's been gone so long."

"When we were younger it was always me, Archie, Kevin, sometimes Jughead, and Nate…Van I mean. I didn't think we would still be close after all those years but seeing him yesterday, it was like nothing had changed."

She wondered if Betty realized the way Van had looked at her. It was the look of someone who loved someone they knew they could never have. Then again, she had used her above average observation skills to figure out that Betty was more into Archie. The redhead was cute but there was something deeper to Van, like he had so much more to him.

"I just met him, but he seems interesting."

Betty smiled, "I think one thing that'll never change about him is that he's just one of a kind."

"That sounds right." she pointed down the hallway where the subject of their convo stood.

Van was dressed in a jean button up that was rolled in a way that showed off his muscular arms. His dirty blonde hair had that messy windblown look to it that looked more cover model than high schooler but it was his eyes that stood out. Even in the horrible lighting of the school, his teal eyes glowed.

She watched with Betty as he told an apparently interesting story including a lot of hand motions to a group of jocks in letterman jackets. The guys all laughed when Van finished, giving a round of bro pats on the back and high fives. He patted a tall Asian boy on the back and walked towards them.

It was obvious that his eyes went straight to Betty but after a second his eyes turned to her. She realized that even though she had barely met him, his presence was almost calming.

"Sorry I'm late, I was just catching up with Reggie and the guys." he apologized.

A pretty girl walking by gave Van a flirty smile, "Hey Van, nice to have you back."

"Thanks." Van looked confused and turned to Betty. "Who was that?"

She noted all the girls giggling in groups and staring at Van, "Probably just another member of your fan club."

"Yeah, I don't think so." he shook his head. "You would think people would be a little quieter though after what happened with Jason."

Betty frowned, "You already heard?"

"Archie told me on the phone before I even got to town."

She asked, "Wait, who's Jason and what happened to him?"

Betty and Van shared a look that told her it wasn't anything good.

Van

He leaned against the shed and flicked the butt of his cigarette on the ground, waiting until the red glow faded before picking it up and tossing it into a trash can nearby. It had been a long first half of the day. He had made it to just homeroom before the whole school had a mandatory assembly for Jason Blossom who had drowned. He had watched from the shadows underneath the bleachers as Cheryl announced that they would still have the homecoming dance.

While he knew a boy he had gone to school with as a kid and grown up with had died there was only one thought going through his head that whole assembly.

Cheryl Blossom had only turned more beautiful.

Ever since he was young he had fallen for Betty because who wouldn't? But he did think a lot after growing up that his feelings were probably from being around the girl so much. Cheryl was something different though. There was this fire and contradictory nature to her that he remembered so well even though they were just kids. From all the info and gossip he could gather from talking with everyone, Cheryl hadn't changed at all. If anything, she had turned into a bit of the high school mean girl, but he knew there was more to it.

"Shouldn't you be with your group of fangirls or hanging with the bros?" Jughead asked with a smile.

He laughed, "Missed you too, bud."

"Thanks for sending those old books by the way."

"No problem, we had to continue our misfit book club tradition somehow."

Jughead smirked, "That's true. So, what's it like being back in the middle of all this weirdness?"

"You mean Jason?" he shook his head. "That's crazy, we grew up with the guy. I guess it's affecting everyone and drowning? That's a shit way to go."

"I don't know, Van. I think there's more to it than what we're seeing."

He glanced at the determined look on his friend's face and concluded that Jughead was setting himself up for trouble. Man, it was always the writer types that brought the biggest drama.

"I was gonna head over to eat lunch with Archie, wanna join?" he picked up his backpack.

Jughead replied, "Nah it's fine, your cousin's been avoiding me since summer so I'm not going to bother him till he's ready to talk."

"What happened?" he asked.

"No idea."

Jughead and Archie were close, probably even closer than he was with Archie. If they weren't talking, things really were off in Riverdale.

"Well later." he patted Jughead on the back. "Let's catch up soon."

"Sure, if you're buying at Pop's."

Well some things didn't change.

Veronica

"I gotta go guys, meeting with Grundy and football practice." Archie made a quick escape.

She looked at Kevin and Betty that were still seated at the outdoor lunch table with confusion.

"Why's he running off?" she asked.

Kevin shrugged, "Who knows but the better question is when Betty's going to ask him to the formal."

Betty glanced behind her in worry, "Shh, don't mention Archie and especially don't mention Van."

Before she could respond the redheaded girl that had spoken at the assembly appeared by their table.

"Veronica Lodge, I've heard whisperings." the pretty redhead smiled. "I'm Cheryl Blossom. Betty do you mind?"

She watched as Cheryl pushed Betty to the side and her blonde friend made a surprised face. This girl was something, very mean girl-esque.

"So what are you talking about? Archie's Efron-like emergence from puberty or the return of the new hottest guy at Riverdale Nathaniel Van Winters? Actually, I heard you're close with Nathaniel, Veronica?"

Cheryl turned an intense gaze at her and she couldn't help but feel that the question kind of felt like an accusation.

"Van? Yes, we met yesterday at Pop's and talked a lot. He's very sweet, walked me home like a gentleman and everything."

A flash of annoyance went through Cheryl's face, "Nathaniel is always too nice. I would know, we're very close. Just remember he has ties here that go a lot longer than helping some lost new girl walk five yards."

She got the strangest feeling that Cheryl was trying to tell her something. Basically, stay away from Van or she would cut her. Hmm, looks like she did the get the message.

"Anyways, we were talking about extracurriculars." Betty tried to change the subject.

Cheryl's mood instantly changed, "Veronica, you have to try out for the River Vixens. I'm the senior captain, of course."

"Is cheerleading still a thing?" Kevin barbed.

The redhead shot back, "Is being the gay best friend still a thing?"

Wow, point to Cheryl.

"Well I was a cheerleader back at my old school, I'm in. Betty you have to try out too." she smiled.

Cheryl frowned, "Betty already has so much on her plate and being a River Vixen's a full-time commitment but the tryouts are open to everyone. I've got to run but I'll see you there, bye."

The redheaded mean girl strode off.

"Say what you want about cheerleading, but I think it's a classic." she said.

Betty replied, "I would love to try out but last year Cheryl told me I was…"

"Too season five Betty Draper, great line but not at all true." Kevin finished for the blonde.

She turned to her friend, "Well you're a total smoke show now, Betty."

"I totally agree, you would put all the other River Vixens to shame." a voice interrupted.

Van dropped down in the bench next to Betty with a smile.

He continued, "Cheryl probably rejected you last year because she was worried that all eyes would be on you. I mean, with how smart and pretty you are, Cheryl thinks you're trying to take her queen bee spot."

"Van stop, you're the only one that thinks that." Betty blushed.

She added, "No I agree, I'll help you prep and everything. So how about it?"

"Okay." the blonde broke.

The three cheered and she smiled at helping break the other girl. It was so obvious that Betty was holding herself back and as a newly minted nice girl she was going to break her out of her shell.

But there was one other thing she had to figure out.

She turned to Van who was teasing Betty, "What's up with you and Cheryl? She basically verbally put a do not touch sign on you a few minutes ago."

"Cheryl has always been super territorial of Van, she's probably just getting back into old habits." Kevin put in his thoughts.

That sounded reasonable enough, but the way Van's eyes shifted told her differently. There was something there, he just didn't want to say it.

Van shrugged, "Cheryl is hard to figure out. She hasn't even talked to me but somehow had the time to tell you that I apparently belong to her."

"And that doesn't bother you?" she asked in disbelief.

He stole the apple in Betty's hand, "I don't know, what is being bothered? What is the meaning of life? What is anything? Well I gotta get going later Lodge, Kev, and thanks for the apple Betty."

"Really nice avoiding of the question, Van." she called after him.

Van just turned around and winked before jogging off. It seemed like that would be his signature send off after not answering any of the many questions she had about him.

Kevin shook his head, "Don't try to understand Van when it comes to Cheryl. He was always like that with her when we were younger."

"Yeah but it's been six years, you would think he'd realize by now." Betty sighed.

She asked, "What that apparently Cheryl has him under some weird spell?"

"Not spell, just really protective. When we were young if anyone said one bad thing about Betty, Van would go off on them. If it was Cheryl, he just avoided the situation." Kevin explained. "They were really close and had this weird bond especially after everything that happened."

She recalled last night when Van avoided mentioning something from his past.

"What do you mean after what happened, Kevin?"

"You didn't know? His parents died a week of each other, that's why he left."

That wasn't what she had expected.

Van

He shook his head to get the sweat out of his eyes before charging forward to catch the ball and pull a full sprint forward. Moose and the other defense guys didn't even come close to him.

"That was awesome!" Archie ran up to him and grinned. "How did you get so good at football?"

He shrugged and tossed the ball, "Played rugby, it's ten times more violent. You had to adapt quickly or eat dirt. Plus, it was a good throw, good job Archie."

"I agree." Coach approached them. "We've got two spots open on varsity and usually sophomores wouldn't be offered a spot but you and Andrews are a great team."

Archie hesitated, "That's a big commitment, could I have some time to think about it, coach?"

"Sure just don't think too long." Coach turned to him. "What about you, Winters?"

He shrugged, "Sure."

He definitely needed something to get the edge off. The violence of tackling guys, sprinting like a maniac, and throwing something as hard as he could really helped get his energy levels down. After getting the shit beat out of him a year in London, he finally figured out that stopping bullies meant working out and working out gave him an adrenaline rush that made him focus only on what he was doing at the moment.

He took off the uncomfortable padding so he was left in a loose white v-neck that was pretty much soaked through in sweat.

"Nathaniel." he looked up and felt his heart pick up speed when he spotted her.

Cheryl was dressed in the River Vixen uniform she had always talked about as a kid, and damn she was fucking gorgeous. It had to be that cherry red lipstick and that high ponytail. That and her legs that went on for miles.

"Hey Blossom." he composed himself before jogging over. "Finally decided to bless me with your presence?"

She smirked, "You know I'm always worth the wait."

He glanced around and made sure everyone was absorbed in practice or talking.

"Seriously though, why didn't you write me back since May?" he leaned closer. "I really missed your letters."

A guarded look came to Cheryl's face, "There was just a lot happening and there's a lot happening now."

"I know, are you alright?" he asked.

He wanted so badly to make that unsure look in her eyes to go away but, how could he? Nothing but Jason would solve it and he was gone.

Man, he remembered for years sending Cheryl letters and thinking about how much he wanted to be in front of her, to just hold her hand. Yet, she was right in front of him and he had somehow reverted back to that lost kid that didn't have the heart to make a move.

She shrugged, "I'm as fine as I could be."

"Cheryl I can't make you talk about what's bothering you but just do it when you're ready, okay?"

Apparently that wasn't the right thing to say.

"We may have sent letters since you left but haven't you realized Van? I'm different and you're different. Stop acting like we're still kids in elementary. We're older, I can't just tell you everything and stop treating me like I'm some little girl. Haven't you heard, I rule this school? I'm the head bitch and even though my brother just died, people are still whispering behind my back."

"Cheryl, I'm sorry if I made you feel like I was treating you like a kid but I know we're different. I just think you need someone to talk to."

"The last person I want to talk to is the kid who ran away from town and left me here by myself."

He watched as she whirled around and stormed off, straight past where Betty and Veronica stood talking with Archie. They all glanced at Cheryl's angry figure and back to him.

"What was that about?" Veronica asked.

He ran a hand through his hair, "Nothing, what are you guys talking about?"

"How Archie is going to accompany us to the dance, or better yet you can accompany me and Archie can partner with Betty." Veronica smiled.

Wow, he just got yelled at by the girl he was in love with and now he had to help the other girl he was in love with get with his cousin. Tough day.

Archie shrugged, "I don't know, I'm just not in a good head space."

"C'mon Archie, you get to accompany a newly minted River Vixen and it'll be fun if we're all going." he sucked it up and decided to be a good friend. "And you wouldn't make your favorite cousin go to his first high school dance without his right hand man, right?"

His insides were boiling but he had to be a good friend. He had already told himself years ago that Betty just didn't feel for him like she did for Archie. If twelve year old him could figure it out, he would just have to remember now.

His cousin broke, "Alright, I'll go with, Betty. I'll pick you up at 7."

"Okay." Betty grinned.

It only took five seconds before Archie jogged off before a loud squeal hurt his ears.

"I can't believe he said yes." Betty hugged him. "Thank you so much for helping me out, Van."

He grit his teeth, "No problem, Betty. You'll be the prettiest girl there."

"Save the sweet talk for your date." Veronica teased.

He gave her a look, "Sorry Lodge, but I'm not actually going, school dances aren't my thing. I only lied to get Archie to say yes."

"Pick me up at 7 too!" Veronica winked before walking off with a giddy Betty in tow.

He stared at her open mouthed for a minute before throwing his helmet as hard as he could down the field.

Girls were driving him crazy.

Veronica

Van looked handsome in a tailored suit that showed off his tall muscular frame and a black silk tie that matched her dress. The dance was actually nice, whoever had decorated clearly put in effort. Everyone had dressed up and looked excited, it was just a feeling that the night could lead to so much more.

It also helped that the guy that had caught her interest the second she walked into town was her date, even if he was being grumpy about it.

"Well you got me here, Lodge." he took a swig of the clearly spiked punch. "I hate you, but I still respect the trickery."

Okay, she wasn't the vainest girl, definitely in the past but not now. However, Van's lighthearted complaining throughout the night made her wonder if she was missing something in the mirror.

She grabbed his arm, "Oh shut up and dance with me."

"One second." Van grabbed her punch and downed it as well. "Okay, this short buzz will last me one dance, let's go."

For all his complaining, Van was actually a great dancer. He playfully moved around her and twirled her around in a fun, lighthearted way that made her laugh.

When a slow song came on, he led them by just swaying to the beat with his arm on the small of her back. The feeling of his large, warm hand on her bare skin definitely gave her goosebumps.

"Hmm, at least Archie's finally being a good date and dancing with Betty." Van commented.

She raised an eyebrow, "You've been following them all night?"

"Of course, gotta watch out for my cousin." he replied.

She called him out, "Or your crush."

Van didn't even look surprised and that was actually more surprising to her.

"Betty, is always going to be that girl I loved and I still love her a lot but….."

"What?"

"I'm not stupid, I told myself if I came back to town and Betty was head over heels for Archie still I wouldn't do anything. Guess what? She still is so no matter how much I like her, I know there's no point in making her feel uncomfortable with my feelings. I'm not an asshole, Betty doesn't owe me anything."

"How do you know she doesn't like you, Van?"

"I know she doesn't just like me, she loves me. Just not in the way I want her too."

There went another added layer to the mystery that was Van. She had thought for sure he was hung up on Betty and maybe that had influenced her decision to push the blonde and Archie together. But here he was, laying out the truth how he saw it. Now, if she could finally get him to open up about his parents, she might be able to figure him out a little more.

"Tell me about yourself." Van moved slightly closer to her. "It's only fair after I admitted a big secret of mine."

She tilted her head, "About what?"

"Why you came to Riverdale? Maybe, why you're so much nicer than I expect a girl from the New York socialite circle to be."

"You're the second person to ask me that today."

Van smiled, "What's the answer?"

"I don't know, in New York I was the typical spoiled rich girl. Then, when my father went to jail, everything fell apart. That was when I figured out who I could really trust and the answer was not a lot of people. All my 'girlfriends' dropped me the second I fell from grace."

"For what it's worth, I like you the way you are now. Our pasts don't matter as much as people think."

"Is that why you came back to Riverdale?"

"It was one of the things that gave me the courage to."

His teal eyes stared down into her and the way there was no space between them, it felt like they were in their own little world. Honestly, she wouldn't have minded staying in his arms all day.

"Nathaniel, dance with me."

Cheryl Blossom stood in front of them, looking pretty and dangerous in a red dress. The way she was looking at her date though, made her only move closer to Van.

"Blossom, Veronica's my date, it wouldn't be gentlemanly to just leave her during the slow songs." Van seemed to be avoiding eye contact with the other girl.

Huh, so it looked like he did the last name thing with all the pretty girls.

Cheryl put a hand on his arm, "Please?"

"Veronica, I'll catch up with you later." Van's will seemed to crumble.

She turned to him, "Seriously?"

"Move it, new girl." the redhead pushed her out of her way and took her spot in Van's arms.

She shot him a betrayed look but the only response she got was a weak shrug. When Cheryl moved annoyingly close to Van so there was no space between them and whispered something in his ear, he didn't even look at her. His attention fully on the redheaded she devil in front of him.

Kevin was right, Cheryl Blossom did have Van under a spell. It just took actually seeing the two together to realize how bad it was.

Van

He had felt horrible after Cheryl had left to go make one more speech about Jason at the formal. It wasn't lost on him that he had basically ditched his date for another girl but could you blame him? The feeling of being so close to Cheryl and dancing together had been addicting. She had whispered an apology in his ear and he turned into a puddle. Don't get him wrong though, he had felt something dancing with Veronica too. They had this connection and he wasn't sure if she felt it but he definitely did.

After, when he went to look for Veronica she was no where to be found. Betty had texted him though, to tell him that she had headed over to Cheryl's with Archie and Veronica for the after party. He had decided to follow which brought him to his current situation. Sitting around a too fancy living room with a bunch of other kids from school including his friends, trying to make eye contact with Veronica who was ignoring him.

"Can you finish up this bottle for me, Van?" Cheryl sat down on his lap.

He managed not to show his nervousness, "Sure, Blossom."

He downed the cherry coke and handed it back to his crush who gave him a wink.

"Okay kids, let's see who's riding the ginger stallion tonight." Cheryl leaned over from her spot on his lap to spin the bottle.

They all watched as the bottle spun and spun before landing squarely in between Betty and Veronica.

"Oh it looks like it's the new girl." Cheryl smiled.

Veronica frowned, "I'm not playing this game."

"Well house rules decree the hostess gets to take your turn and I'd rather not move, it's so comfy where I am." Cheryl wrapped her arms around his neck. "Isn't that right, Nathaniel?"

He didn't have to respond because Veronica rolled her eyes and grabbed Archie's hand, taking them over to the closet.

"Van, isn't Veronica supposed to be your date for the night?" Betty asked, clearly worried having Archie alone with another pretty girl.

The redheaded vixen smirked, "I'm sure you remember this, Betty Crocker but Nathaniel is mine and I was kind enough to get Veronica another date for the night. Archie won't mind either, at least new girl is a step up from you. I mean, why would newly hot Archie want you? At least your sister was pretty."

Betty stood up and shot him a betrayed look before running off.

"Shit drama, man." Reggie whispered.

That was when he lost it.

He picked up Cheryl and set her down on the couch, "Sorry Blossom, but I don't belong to anyone. I'm tired of your fucking push and pull. When I try to be there for you, you shut me down. When I'm trying to be a good date to another girl, you get jealous and in the process hurt one of my best friends. Until you can be honest with me and stop fucking with the people I care about, we're through."

He fucking meant it, he had written to her almost every single week since he had been gone. Even when she dropped off the face off the earth six months ago, he kept on writing. With how honest her letters were, he felt like they were making this connection. Yeah, sometimes the letters showed a mean side to her but then she would become so vulnerable, admitting something that made him get her.

Then, when they finally had a chance to meet in person, she treated him so differently. Of course, he still cared about her but until she understood that he couldn't just be dragged back and forth he couldn't deal with her.

Now, he just had to find Betty and make sure she was okay but if he was this messed up, Betty probably was a lot worse.

What a great welcome home to Riverdale….

AN: Can you believe in the first episode of the show they included the character intros, a murder mystery set up, a dance, a creepy relationship with a teacher, and all this drama at a party? I didn't even include most parts of the first episode and the chapter came out to six thousand words.

I really like Riverdale and tried writing an OC fanfiction multiple times but it never quite turned out how I wanted it until now. I'm still a little iffy on if I want to pursue this but I enjoyed writing Van and setting up this love triangle with Veronica and Cheryl. I actually wanted to include Toni in this and make it an interesting relationship where Van thinks Cheryl and Toni are meant to be but then both girls kind of like him and he's confused and they're confused and everyone's just confused but that was too confusing. As was that sentence.

Anyways what do you guys think about Van and his past? And who you think should be end game?