The next day, Veronica found Archie waiting by her locker.

"Hey, Ronnie. Didn't get to talk to you much the other night."

"I know. Thanks for doing that, by the way. I know it's not exactly your thing."

He shrugged. "It's fine. New guy seems nice."

"Yeah, he is. Which reminds me, I can't go with you to Pop's today. Not right away at least. Jack and I are fencing."

"Is that a euphemism?"

"Don't worry, Archiekins. I'll be there for dinner. Text you later?" She kissed his cheek and walked away feeling a bit guilty. She was just trying to be friendly the way Betty had been to her when she moved to town.

In the afternoon, she made her way to the gym and kept an eye out for Jack. Two figures in white outfits and metal mesh masks were swashbuckling on a long mat. One made a lunge and missed but made a roll backwards and was back on his feet before the counter. The other figure went on the offensive and made three slashes in quick succession without landing. The first figure went wide with a strike that flicked against his opponent's back, but not before the second figure gave a light touch on the first's torso.

They tore off their masks, and Ronnie was amused to see that the loser was Jack. His hair was short on the sides but long on top, and a jet black curl fell out of place and stuck to his forehead.

"You left yourself open," the other man said.

"I was trying to get you off guard."

"Then you need to be faster!"

Jack caught Veronica in his peripherals gave her a big smile. "Veronica!"

The coach gave a polite nod. "You have experience?"

"Only a little," she answered humbly.

"Dress out, Miss Lodge."

She found an extra uniform and changed in the locker rooms before returning. She picked up a sabre and weighed it in her hand. "Feels different."

"You ever fight sabre?" Jack asked with interest.

"Just foil."

"Head is a target area. You can score with the edge. You'll figure the rest out." He slid his mask over his face and stepped onto the mat. Veronica did the same, and they waited for their cue.

"Allez!" The coach yelled, and both fencers were off. Jack chose to take offensive, ensuring he would gain Right of Way on his hits (something she learned about after losing a point that she swore was hers). They moved quickly, keeping their distance and playing off each other's decisions. It was a tactical dance that Veronica was determined to win. What she lacked in experience she made up for in determination.

Lunge, parry.

Touch.

Attack, parry, riposte.

Touch.

"Good work!" The coach stepped onto the mat and took the sabres from the teens. "That's enough for today. Veronica, you show a lot of promise. You should talk to your principal about joining us regularly."

The two fencers removed their masks and breathed heavily. For a long moment, they just stared at each other.

Veronica spoke first. "I thought you were going easy on me?"

"I changed my mind."

They parted ways and changed into regular attire then returned to the gym. "Heading home?" She asked casually.

"No, actually. Cheryl and I are going to that diner you mentioned last night."

Veronica broke out into a large grin. "Pop's? I'm actually supposed to meet Archie there."

"Need a lift?"

She nodded her head, and they walked out to his car – a BMW convertible that was a few years older than she imagined him driving.

They made small talk on the way, but Veronica was distracted. She hadn't intended on a double date happening. She wasn't even sure about her regular dating life.

When they arrived at Pop's, Jack held the door open for Veronica, and she immediately spotted Archie and Cheryl two booths apart.

Archie looked at Jack then Ronnie. Veronica looked at Archie, then Cheryl. Cheryl looked at Veronica, then Jack.

"Archie, why don't you go sit across from Cheryl?" Veronica suggested. "Turns out we've got a bit of a double date tonight."

Archie obliged, and Cheryl's face was twisted in a mixture of politeness and inner rage.

Not my ideal situation either, Veronica thought to herself. She took a seat next to Archie, and Jack sat across from her at Cheryl's side.

"So how was fencing practice?" Archie asked innocently. "You guys must have worked up quite an appetite."

Cheryl pursed her lips but remained silent as the waiter came to take their orders.

"Do you folks know what you want?"

"I've known for awhile," Cheryl said as she slipped her hand over Jack's.

"I do, too." Veronica answered. "I think I'm going to try something new."