Disclaimer: I do not any of the Archie characters, storylines or settings. They are property of Archie Comics and The CW.
"Hey mom, I hope you're not busy but I just had a few questions to ask."
"Sure honey, what's the matter?"
"When did you know it wasn't going to work out with dad?"
"Wow, wasn't expecting that straight out of the gate. Archie... You know I'm not supposed to tell you stuff like that."
"I don't care about the particular business with you and dad. I mean, I wish you guys were still together, but I just want to know what it feels like to know it's not there..."
"It sounds like you have already answered that question yourself. You're not happy with Veronica?"
"It's Betty. I said I didn't love her- well I did, not just in the way she wanted me to say it in. And now I feel like I've permanently messed up."
"She asked you if you loved her? Wow... Archie, that is so adorable. My little boy has all-grown up."
"Mom, I'm serious, I don't need your teasing right now. I need to know what to do. I really, really like Veronica but I just feel like I've lost Betty when she went with Jughead."
"So Betty is the one you want one. Don't tell me you're in love with both. That's not true. That's never true. It's always just an excuse."
"That's not fair. If Betty ends up with Jughead, am I just going to be in no-man's land for the rest of my life. Veronica was there for me in a crucial time."
"I have a feeling that Betty would give that same exact answer about getting together with Jughead. Do you think it's right for you to just drag along that girl along when you like someone else?"
"Under that logic, I can never have anybody else if Betty is with someone. I love Betty. I don't want to be with anyone else right now and I feel like the biggest idiot for not telling her that when she asked me because I made a stupid mistake. A stupid mistake I might regret for the rest of my life..."
"Oh Archie..."
"Mom- I don't- I don't know what to do." Archie was practically sobbing.
"Arch, you are acting like you are married to this girl. You're not. You don't have any binding contract where you must stay with her. Tell Veronica how you really like Betty and then tell Betty how you really feel."
"I just feel so embarrassed having been through this and having to go through all this again. I might practically destroy my friendship with Jughead and make a complete fool of myself. Why can't it be simple?"
"Well you're a very handsome, very sweet young man. Of course you're going to have to break many hearts. Your dad broke plenty as well. Just remember, it's always your choice. And don't let anyone pressure you into doing something you don't want to. And if you ever feel too overwhelmed by what's going on over there, you're always welcome to come move with me."
"Thanks mom." Archie hung up the phone and walked toward the kitchen. He saw his dad sitting there with a beer and crying.
"Dad, what's the matter?"
"Someone short-circuted the control on the bulldozer and busted up its engine. I've been driving that thing ever since I was 17. I was going to allow you to drive it this year." He took a chug out of his beer before continuing. "I know who did it too. It was the Serpents. I know they attacked you too. Ever since they lost their jobs when Hermione replaced them, they've had it out for me. They had it out for me before that too. They made the most egregious demands for their union fees that I had no choice but to let a bunch of them go."
Archie sat down on the table. "Then I'll go to the The Register. We'll write an article about it. We can rally the people, dad. They'll come to your aide. Betty and I-
"Archie, that's not necessary. This isn't your battle to fight. I drew you into this." Fred obviously did not disclose the real reason he did not want his son to work with Alice Cooper so he chose to misdirect him instead.
"Dad, I know you're not on the best of terms with Mrs. Cooper but Betty would be willing to help. She'll listen to Betty. We can make this work." Archie gritted his teeth. The hopelessness he was feeling during the conversation with his mom had waned. Now, he wanted to act. Now, he felt more primitive. Now, he felt like a man.