The bells on the doors of Pop's Chock'lit Shop chimed as Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper walked, hand in hand. Jughead leaned down to whisper something in Betty's ear and she giggled, tilting her head upwards to press a soft kiss onto her cheek. Together, they strolled over to the booth that Archie and Veronica were already sitting at.
"Good morning, V," Betty sang. Her ponytail swished as she sat down, a smile covering her pale face.
"Good morning to you too, B."
"Archibald," Jughead said in a playful tone as he slid into the booth next to Betty. "You're wearing the same shirt you were wearing yesterday! Too invested in your music career to do laundry?" He rolled his eyes and shook his head lightheartedly. Veronica and Archie glanced at each other, worry sketched into their tired faces.
"Yeah. Something like that." Archie mumbled. He placed a comforting hand on Veronica's knee, gently rubbing his thumb along her soft skin.
"Is everything okay?" Betty asked. Veronica knew it was directed towards her. Everybody in this small town were aware of the Lodge parents and their shady doings. It was only her friends that made sure that she was holding up well with such a disreputable family.
"Um..." Veronica pursued her lips and peeked at Archie, who was staring at her. He gave her a small tight-lipped smile and nodded. He moved his hand from her knee to her clenched fist, forcing her to entwine her fidgety fingers with his. Her palms were unusually warm clammy, Archie noted.
"V, you can tell us anything, okay? We are here for you no matter what. Right, Jug?" Betty looked over expectantly at her boyfriend, who was devoting his attention to playing with a strand of black hair from his head. "Jug."
"What?"
Betty sighed, but leaned her head onto his shoulder anyways. "At least I'm here for you no matter what, okay V? No. Matter. What."
Veronica smiled gratefully. "Thanks B. I really do appreciate that. Especially because I have something... important to tell you guys." Betty cocked her head, listening. Jughead was getting ready to zone out. Usually something "important" to the girls was the new episode of a TV show or a huge sale at a certain clothing shop.
Veronica took a deep breath and ran her tongue over her chapped lips. Archie squeezed her hand, encouraging her to speak. Their non-verbal communication skills have definitely improved since when they first got together two years ago. Just spit it out, Veronica told herself.
"I'm pregnant. With, like, an actual child." Betty's jaw dropped. Jughead's hand stopped twirling and he stared at Veronica.
"Are you kidding?" he asked in awe, although he knew that Veronica would never joke about something like that. Veronica shook her head.
"V, that's amazing!" Betty exclaimed, clapping her hands together like an excited child. "Arch, you must be so proud!"
An enormous smile broke out on Archie's face. "More than you can imagine," he whispered into Veronica's ear as he leaned down to kiss her forehead.
"Well, are you gonna keep it?" Jughead asked. Betty shot him a warning look, but he ignored it.
Veronica immediately replied, "Yes. Maybe. Hopefully. If my parents allow it."
"V, you haven't told your parents?" Betty almost shouted. "What about Archie's? Does his parents know?"
Archie shook head. "Not yet. I just learned about this yesterday night! Cut me some slack!"
"Jesus christ," Betty muttered under her breath.
Jughead snickered. "Good luck with that."
"Jug!" Betty slapped his arm. A raised eyebrow told him to shut up.
"No it's really fine," Veronica sighed. "I actually might be kicked out of the house but at least Archie will be there for me." She gazed up at Archie's caring, loving eyes and snuggled closer to him.
"So are we." Betty said. "If you need anything, we are here for you."
Veronica giggled. "That's the second time you said that, B."
"I know. The more I say it, the more you'll believe it."
"I already believe it!"
"I know you do. I just want to remind you sometimes." Veronica smiled.
