*I DON'T OWN RIVERDALE*
A cool breeze sent raven curls away from Diana's face as she stumbled into the famous Pop's Diner, the bells above her head chiming to signal her entrance.
Eyes fell upon the young woman as she walked past the tables over to an attendant. Her gaze meeting deep chocolate irises for a brief moment before she stopped in front a slightly overweight man with a name tag that read in bold POP TATE.
"Hi, I'm here to pick up an order for Lodge" She said, smiling at the attendant in front of her.
Pop's regarded the woman with a tired smile, his grey eyes matching the tint of his hair. He was dressed in a bright short-sleeved shirt, slacks and an apron that contrasted against his dark skin. Moving around Diana, Pop replied "Give me a few and I'll have your three burgers hun".
"Okay and thank you" Diana said, following close behind Pop.
Smoothing out the wrinkles in her coal dress coat, Diana glanced around the restraunt. It was realitively small with a "just out of Grease" 50's vibe going on in terms of it's decor. It was far less flashy than anything in New York which suited Diana just fine as flashy was never her thing. Since it was getting closer to nightfall, only a select few sat in the crimison booths. Every person looked happy though, making the place feel more like a home rather than a restraunt.
Diana knew tonight would be the first of many nights at Pop's Chock 'lit Shoppe. With that thought in mind, Diana circled back to Pop Tate.
Throwing on her best smile, Diana exclaimed "Mr. Tate, are you hiring by chance?"
With a shake of his head, Diana's heart sank. The smile that instantly graced his lips confused her. "First, the name is Pop Tate. Mr. Tate was my father" He replied with a chuckle before he continued "And yes, you ever been a waitress?"
Diana answered with a quiet "no" before she added on "But, I can assure you I am quick learner Mr.….I mean Pop Tate"
Pop Tate considerd the raven haired woman's pleas before nodding with a grin "You can start tomorrow if you want? Maybe after school?" Pop replied causing Diana to launch herself at the elder.
"Thank you!" She said, Pop Tate never letting up on his smile. Once she pulled away, she continued "Oh and please call me Diana".
"Pleased to meet you. I'll go check on your order, but be here tomorrow at 5 sharp" Pop Tate said with a wink before he walked back into the kitchen.
Before she could revel in her small victory, Diana heard a clearing of someone's throat. Swiftly circling to the sound, she caught sight a beautiful carmined haired boy. The ginger lad's navy sweater, white t-shirt and dark jeans did nothing to hide his physically fit physique. The outfit did however wonderfully rival against his pale complextion and milk chocolate eyes. His pale pink lips opened, but nothing came out causing the boy to flush a color similar to his fiery spikes.
Offering a smile, Diana teased "Cat got your tongue?"
The teen shook his head, letting out a cough before saying "Umm, so you're new?" The nervous tamper coming out in one quick breath.
"I hadn't realized I was sending new girl vibes out" Diana said with a raise of her eyebrow before continuing "My family just moved here from New York actually. You have a name Cherry?" She asked with a tilit of her head, adding a killer smirk that caused the boy to flush a deeper shade.
"A-Archie" He stuttered, clearing his throat and stating "I'm Archie Andrews".
Diana opened her mouth to tease Archie again, but was interrupted by a young woman's call for him. Another moment later, the source of the calling came into view.
"Archie, how long does it take to get…?" A petite teen girl asked before she caught sight of Diana. Her blue eyes widened in an almost comical way as a smile fell onto her heart-shaped face. "Oh hi, I'm Betty Cooper! Are you Veronica or Diana?" The young woman exclaimed causing her blonde ponytail to bounce behind her.
The raven haired woman smiled at the blonde's enthusiasm "Diana, and are you the one…"
"Who is supposed to take you on a school tour tomorrow? Yes, I'm your peer mentor" Betty teased, her smile never leaving her lips. With a glance between Archie and Diana, she focused her sapphire gaze on Diana. "So are you a sophomore too?"
Diana nodded, her smile retreating back a bit as she said "Are you guys feeling the same amount of dread I am or is it just a new arrival thing?"
"Why is that?" Archie asked, suddenly in a trance as he gazed at the raven curled gal.
Diana looked around the diner before looking to the duo with a smirk "Are you familiar with the works of Truman Capote because this place screams In Cold Blood"
Before they could reply, Pop Tate came out of the kitchen with Diana's order in hand. " Order for Lodge" He called to her with a smile. As he handed her the bag, he said with a stern expression " See you tomorrow Diana".
"Of course Pop" She replied with a wink then hopped off the seat to address the blonde beauty and red haired fiend. "My families waiting for me, but to be continued" Diana added with a smile before she walked out of Pops leaving the duo with no idea of what to make of the town's newest resident.
"So I like to start out my tours with a little history and context" Betty began much to Diana's delight and Veronica's dismay.
After the basic introductions, Diana was sure that she and Betty would become fast friends. Even Veronica, who was less than thrilled about the move to the town with pep, smiled at the young blonde's excitement upon meeting the twins.
With a dimpled smile and a shake of her blonde ponytail, Betty continued "Riverdale High first opened its doors in 1941 and…"
"Hasn't been redecorated since" Veronica interrupted causing her sister to glare at her. With a touch to her pearls, she scoffed "Honestly, it feels like we're walking through the lost scene of Our Town" Circling around to Betty, her Cheshire eyes widening in mischief as she spoke "What's the night life like around here? Any clubs I should know about?"
Diana held herself back from rolling her eyes as she chastised her sister "Veronica, this is hardly the time to ask about the town's social scene" Glancing at Betty with an apologetic smile, she said "Please continue with the tour".
Betty opened her mouth to assure the young woman that the question was fine, but was once again interrupted by a brunette; this time one she had known longer than five minutes.
A dark brown haired boy stood in front of the trio. Dressed in a green sweater and tanned pants, the boy looked like a variation of the "boy next door", a look that seemed familiar to every resident in Riverdale. When he spoke, his voice was overjoyed with the knowledge he was offering to the twins.
"There is a strip club called Ho Zone and a tragic gay bar called Innuendo. Friday nights usually consist of football games then tailgating parties at the Mallmart. Saturday night is movie night regardless of what's playing at the theater and you better get there early; we don't have reserve seating in Riverdale. Finally, Sunday…" The boy took a breath and offered up a small smile as he said "…Thank god for HBO"
Diana chuckled at the young man's antics "I supposed it's a good thing I like Game of Throne's then" Offering her hand alongside a smile, she said "Diana Lodge and this is my sister Veronica".
"Kevin Keller" He answered and shook her hand before shooting off another question "Is it true what they say about your dad?"
With a quick glance to her twin, Diana met Kevin's gaze with a silencing stare "Depends on who you ask". Withdrawing her hand from his grip, Diana looked back to Betty "But rather than relive our Blue Jasmine moments, can we continue with the tour please?"
Betty nodded while Kevin quickly apologized, looking between the girls as his gaze met the ground with a flustered expression.
Diana shook her head and smiled at Kevin, quickly dismissing the flash of anger that always accompanied any thought of her father. Lacing an arm through his, she said "Let's you and I be friends" Looking to her sister, she added with a smirk "You've always wanted a gay best friend right Ronnie?" Then she stage whispered to Kevin "And I need someone who's up to date on all the hot gossip".
With her final statement, Kevin's head shot up as a smile spread across his chapped pink lips. Tightening his hold on her, he replied with a tip of his imaginary hat "Of course! I'll be your very own private eye Ms. Lodge".
"Thank you for your service" Diana replied with a chuckle as he sister said "Whoa, who is that red-headed Ansel Elgort?"
The remaining members of the group turned to find the one and only, Archie Andrews, looking into his locker. He was completely unaware of the gawking of the four teens, too much in his thoughts Diana assumed.
"That's Cherry" Diana answered, another smirk finding its way to her lips as she looked to her sister. Somehow she caught sight of a flushed Betty Cooper which caused her smirk to fall as she regarded the blonde's expression.
Veronica must have seen a similar reaction because she said "Oh sorry, I wasn't aware he was taken".
Betty shook her head furiously; a shade similar to the boy in question's hair spreading across her cheeks.
"We're just friends" she replied at the same time Kevin said "He's straight". Both sentiments were stated as sad facts, one more dramatic than the other.
Kevin continued in a chipper tone "Well to clarify, Betty and Archie are endgame even though they aren't dating".
"Have you told him about your feelings?" Diana asked; her gaze on the blonde worried slightly.
Betty shook her head to which Veronica answered brightly, pointing around at the posters on the walls "Why not ask him to this semiformal then?"
"She should, but it might get canceled because of what happened to Jason Blossom. The principal is going to tell us at the assembly" Kevin replied sullenly.
"Who is Jason Blossom and what happened to him?" Veronica said as she looked between Betty and Kevin innocently.
Betty looked to Kevin before she spoke in an ominous tone "He drowned on the fourth of July".
Hello again!
So, how did you feel about this chapter? Feel free to leave me a comment!
XOXO
foxcharin