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Archie always had the support of his friends which made him feel less lonely and less affected by rumours. This time, however, the rumours left him feeling isolated. Being a male high school senior meant that he could have a healthy pick of girls from freshmen to seniors. At least that was what he used to believe. It thrilled him to no end that he was attractive to the female population. Plus he hung out with the right group in Riverdale High. After all, he had run, and won, the much coveted role of President of the tenth grade cohort two years ago and there had been talk about him getting a seat on the Events Committee –yet another coveted seat to add to his high school resume, over the summer.

That all had changed though. He cursed Betty and Veronica under his breath as he strode into biology class. He looked across the classroom and spotted his lab partner, a decent looking brunette that he vaguely remembered as Shelly.

"Hi Shelly," He mumbled.

Shelly had nodded and greeted him before turning back to the conversation she was absorbed in. Her friend, however, had given Archie an almost alarmed look before furiously continuing their whispered conversation, her eyes occasionally darting towards Archie.

Looking down at the grey cover of his biology notebook, Archie could feel the heat in his face. He had fallen from a very dateable youth to a dateless teenager. He had thought that being dumped by Betty and Veronica was fine as he still had Cheryl Blossom, despite that she was still in Pembroke.

He had gone over to Cheryl's house to surprise her but she had permitted him no further entry than beyond the entrance gate. She had been hesitant to let him in but he thought it was more because she had guests. Cheryl had set him right though. His 'stock worth', as she called it, had diminished the moment Betty and Veronica had dumped him. He wasn't worth the chase, wasn't worth a date to her anymore and he would not be welcomed back to the Blossom Manor.

His friends had been there for him but what good was it to be surrounded but to feel so alone? He watched enviously as Betty swept across the hallway, laughing about something with Midge while Adam, Betty's so-called new boyfriend, and Moose followed behind them as they headed to their next class; Veronica excitedly revealing that her latest weekend jaunt to a friend on the phone before school started.

Jughead, his supposedly one true friend, had stuck by him. They still hung out regularly but he noticed that Jughead was slowly slipping away as well. There had been a handful of times when Jughead had joined Betty and their group of friends instead of sitting with Archie. They had invited Archie to join them but he was determined to stay clear of Betty and Veronica. He noticed that they all exchanged looks over that comment but he couldn't be bothered right now. His life was ruined and it seemed like nobody cared.

"Can we talk?" Betty had sat down at his table during their shared study hall period.

Archie glared at her, knowing that this was gossip fodder for the other students in the study hall. "Not really."

Betty gave a tight smile before placing her books in front of her. She opened one of her textbooks and started doodling on her ruled line pad. "I'm sorry, Arch," She paused, almost unsure.

Archie blinked at her, something suspiciously like hope gathering in his chest. Did this mean? But he was shot down when Betty frowned and shook her head.

"No, this isn't about getting back. We're over, that much is settled. I just wanted apologize for my outburst at Pop's and I think I owe you a proper explanation. We've been friends since nursery school, I think thirteen years of friendship counts way more than a brief relationship."

Archie stared at her. "A brief relationship," He started indignantly before quieting down, "We dated for over six years, Bets."

Betty bit her lip as she clenched her pen harder. She looked up at him and he was immediately chastised. The pain and brokenness in her eyes was more than enough to stop whatever tirade or argument he had planned to start with her.

She gave him a bitter smile. "Archie, I was your back up plan. Whenever Veronica, Cheryl or any other girl wasn't available, ol' Arch would call reliable Betty Cooper for a date. We can argue over semantics till morning come but that's not why I'm here. Just, just let me finish first."

She shifted her legs, Archie briefly noticed that she wore heels to school today –something Betty would have never done in the past. "There are things you and I can't change. I have a lot of What Ifs I wish I could answer for myself but the thing is, why bother keeping something alive when there was nothing to hold on in the first place?"

"I decided to end it on my terms because frankly, I was tired of being the third wheel in our twisted love triangle. I didn't want to spend my evenings waiting for my make belief knight in shining armour. I don't want to continuously have to catch your attention. But most importantly, I was tired of fighting. Veronica and I have a better friendship now. We're not as close as before but we don't have to compete anymore. And I was hoping that we could be friends too." Betty added almost shyly.

Archie gaped at the blonde teen in front of him as she watched him, her eyes fully focusing on him for the first time in weeks. Part of him still stung from the landslide of rejections that Betty had caused, his ego seethed over how easily she moved on, another part of him hurt because he wanted to say yes but at the same time, he wanted to tell her no.

"Do you still love me?" His voice was low.

He detested, and resented, the pitying look that Betty gave him as she packed up her belongings, her glossy lips curling. "Get over yourself, Archie."