Chapter 9: Drink

Don't wish. Don't start.

Wishing only wounds the heart

I wasn't born for the rose and the pearl

There's a girl I know; He loves her so

I'm not that girl.


With an elevated heart rate of her own, Betty stared down at her bare knees. Her hands cupped a cold can of diet coke, the un-popped tab glaring at her under the sun. Sweat raced nonlinear patterns down the back of her neck and knees.

After her usual runs, Betty always felt some-what refreshed: exhilarated after allowing her body the freedom of speed and constant, unrestricted movement.

But, all she felt now was exhaustion.

Habit ensured the mechanical smile on her face as Archie sat by her with a can of soda for himself, gushing over her brilliant run.

Could a run be brilliant?

"Seriously, Bets. You are gonna blow Central out of the water!"

His innocent adoration was almost blinding and her smile softened. "Thank you, Archie. For coming to watch." She tipped her can. "And, for the drink."

He smiled in response, brushing one of her sweaty curls behind her ear. "I'm sorry it took so long for me to make it out here, Betty. I hear Jug has been out here though."

Betty scratched absently at the tingle his touch left behind. "Yeah, he has." She chuckled awkwardly (why was she so nervous?). "You wouldn't know it just looking at him, but he's a great cheerleader."

"No kidding!" Archie laughed. "Remember Jug's short foray into cheerleading a few months back? That guy's a nut."

The blond smiled in response. "He was really good. It's just too bad that you and Reggie pressured him out of it."

Archie shrugged as he took another swig of his soda.

Betty pulled her eyes away from him as she rolled the can around in her hands, grasping for something to talk about. How exactly does one go about carrying a conversation with the one you were trying to fall out of love with? She didn't mind talking about Jughead, but if Archie even mentioned Veronica, she was going to knock the freckles off his face.

No one said she had to be a good sport about this.

"You ok, Betts?"

The naked concern surprised her for a moment before throwing him a confused smile. "Ok? Yeah, Archie. I'm fine."

Her assurance did little to abate his worry as he absently placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's just that you have been kinda distant lately. Ronnie and I have noticed."

She vaguely wondered what part of that statement was a lie. And, what was a half-truth.

Archie stumbled on. "Not that I don't think that you have a lot on your plate with the meet and all that. I mean, the whole school is rooting for you. Not that you need it! You'll probably completely own-"

Betty allowed herself a small chuckle. "You are babbling, Archie." And, while a babbling red-head was amusing, it usually meant that Archie was slightly troubled. Friend, or girlfriend, or whatever, she wanted to ease his mind. "Now, I know that you have something on your mind. What's up?"

Archie tensed as he was inadvertently shoved into uncharted waters. Not one for planning, he simply jumped, wondering-hoping that the young woman next to him would catch him. "You're leaving."

Betty blinked, turning to fully face him. "What?"

"I-I mean, you aren't really leaving-leaving," he groaned, scratching furiously at his head. With a sigh, he glanced at her. "You're leaving me."

"Leaving you?"

"Getting over me, or whatever," he chuckled nervously. "I guess, I can just feel it now . . . with you never calling me anymore or . . . hugging me between classes . . ."

Betty couldn't explain the sudden irritation as she frowned at the race track, wondering where Archie found the gall to sound even remotely disappointed in her. "I didn't realize that Archie Andrews had exclusive insight into my feelings. That's definitely news to me."

Guilt highlighted his freckles.

And, this. This was it.

This was her bullet to bite.

She released a deep sigh, gently putting the can down. "But, while we are on the subject, I guess, you might be a little right." She flashed him a short, sad smile. "Not that you really have to worry. After all, you are Archie Andrews, my first love, and you'll always be near my heart." The heat continued to dry the sweat from her skin. "You . . . you just won't be in it. Not anymore."

"Is there another guy?"

Dark hair and a lazy smile flashed across her mind for a moment. "No." Not really. Not yet. Clearing her throat, Betty leaned back. "I really think this is for the best. Don't deny it, but you are absolutely head-over-heels in love with Ronnie, and you've been telling me for years that you can only see me as one of the guys. At least this way, we can be friends and stop being . . . what ever we were."

Archie remained motionless under the sun, and Betty was more than happy to leave him to his thoughts. Climbing to her feet, she stretched her arms out, back arching as she finally loosened her muscles.

"Friends, huh?" Archie sat up and smiled at her. "I think I can handle that."

"'Handle that?'" Betty snorted, twisting her torso to loosen her back muscles. "Like I need your 'permission,' Archie. I would have gotten over you eventually." For some reason, her admission for freedom had loosened her tongue. "I mean, come on!" Throwing her arms wide, she smirked at him. "How in the WORLD can I compare to Veronica Lodge?"

And, that seemed to be the crux of it.

What self-respecting man would choose the girl-next-door to the girl-who-has-everything?

Frankly, she was tired of playing second-fiddle.

Catching sight of Jughead approaching the track from the school, Betty felt and honest-to-God smile blossom on her face. She quickly threw a towel over her neck and snatched up her duffle, sparing Archie another smile. "I'll see you around, Archie. And, thanks, again, for coming to see me."

The red-head stood and smiled back. "I hope you are happy, Betts."

"I am!" Waving good-bye, Betty jogged towards Jughead, watching as he caught sight of her and lifted his hand in greeting. The exhaustion that seemed to be laced through her bones a few moments earlier vanished as she hurried to meet up with her sly glutton half way, welcomed by his signature smile.

"Hey, Juggie."

"Sunshine." Pulling a cool water bottle from his bag, he tossed it to her, easily falling into step at her side as they took their usual path to Betty's home. "Sorry I didn't make it to your run. Chuck needed my attention."

Betty downed a forth of the bottle before shrugging. "It's not a problem. Archie was there."

"Archie, eh?"

"Yeah," she smiled. "I must admit that he was a poor substitute for a cheerleader."

"Of course. He hasn't given me the chance to show him some signature cheers."

Her laughter wrapped around them as she held the cool bottle to her neck. After weeks of balancing along the line of moving on with her life and staying in limbo with her infatuation with Archie, Betty felt as light as air. The sun no longer felt like a weight on her shoulders, and the cool breeze held her attention a little longer than usual. She impulsively removed the rubber band from her hair, to let the wind play in the strands.

Jughead seemed to notice the change and nudged her with his elbow. "Feeling better?"

"Oh, Jughead. You have no idea." Turning a contented smile at him, she nudged him back with her shoulder. "I told him."

"Ah." The taller teen nodded, adjusting the strap of his messenger bag. "How did he take it?"

"Like a sport. I mean, I think he was a little surprised, and maybe a little expectant of it. But, he has Veronica." She closed her eyes. "He'll be fine."

"And, you?"

With a snort, Betty laced her arm through his. "Oh, ye of little faith! I'll be fine. I've got you remember?"

Jughead cringed, mockingly pulling away from her but not far enough for her to break her hold on his arm. "Yeah, and I've got your sweat all over me. Cut it with the touchy-feely."

She laughed at his expense and held him tighter. "Don't be such a spoil sport and let me bask in my freedom. This Betty Cooper is no longer playing 2nd place to ANYBODY!"

Her smile was contagious, and she knew it, watching as Jughead reluctantly return one to her. "Well, celebrate away, Sunshine. It's not like I have any desire to rain on your parade."

"I knew you were smart," she grinned. "So, what did Chuck need you for? He trying to persuade you to join the basketball team again?"

Her male companion seemed to tense a bit under her hands, but she over looked it as he held her arm a little tighter to his body. "It's funny you asked . . ."


She said yes.

-/-

[Word Count: 1,501]