Somehow after the hell that was god awful rejection at the school dance, Betty found herself at Cheryl Blossom's party. She honestly had no clue how they talked her into going, but here she was sitting on the couch feeling as flighty as a bird when Cheryl pulled out an empty bottle and decided someone was going to go into the closet with Archie Andrews.

Any other day, Betty would have begged for it to be her, but she was absolutely sick to her stomach and she knew there was no good way to come of this. If it did land on her, it would be awkward and uncomfortable, but she'd be upset if it landed on anyone else, too.

As fate would have it, it landed between her and Veronica.

"Looks like it's Betty. Who knows, maybe you'll come out high school sweethearts." Cheryl chirped with a devilish grin. Betty had a feeling Cheryl was present during her earlier embarrassment and was just mocking her now.

Betty gulped as Archie awkwardly took her hand and led her into the large walk-in closet.

Once inside, she broke down and slid her back against the wall until she was a heaping mess of tears on the floor. Archie had no idea what to do.

"I've been in love with you for years. When you were little, you asked me to marry you, and I only said we had to wait because we were too little, but I wanted to, so badly. Everyone out there is going to laugh at me because they know, and I don't even understand how they know but they just do, and it's going to be humiliating. I don't understand how you can be so shocked and repulsed-"

"Betty, I-"

"Let me finish. So repulsed by even the idea of being with me. I get it. We're people and I'm not owed anything just because I like you this way, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt like crazy. It hurts how you had no clue, while the whole school gossiped about it. None at all. I don't think I can even finish this, I'm just going to go home. Seven minutes in hell would be better than being here right now." She got up to leave and he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry Betty, so sorry. I'm an oblivious ass, and in no way did I ever mean to hurt you. You're my best friend." She pushed his off her.

Best friend. Those word stung. Like a mountain she couldn't climb or an indisputable wall. She turned around and faced the door, gently placing her quivering hand on it. "I don't think I can be that right now. Just give me time." And with that, she wiped her eyes though her mascara was still running, and she stole off into the night, leaving Archie and Veronica to try and chase after her.

A:N: a what-if fic that I wrote a while ago and decided to publish with my other one. Takes place at Cheryl's party after the dance in episode 1