Now, you have to admit this is an faster update than my last few ones :D Thanks for all your reviews, guys! You're the reason I'm going on. :D

Disclaimer: Never going to be able to say I own them. Depressing isn't it?

Chapter 9

"Betty! Wait up!"

Betty frowned at the potato salad. She didn't need this right now.

"Hey…" Archie gasped. "You were running,' he said, a bit uncertainly.

She rolled her eyes. He could be astute sometimes. She shook her head, not wanting to make this worse. She had enough on her mind, without thinking about Archie too. That was a change…

"I'm busy, Archie." She winced at how abrupt she sounded. A few days ago, she would never have imagined talking to Archie in anything less than a coo. But then a few days ago, she wasn't busy thinking about his best friend, his worst enemy and her sister. Well, maybe not her sister anymore. She'd managed to handle that...even if it was more than a little awkward.

He glanced at the dark and empty school grounds. The food fest wasn't slated to start until 10 am, and it was…5. He bit his lip. Waking up this early wasn't something he would do for everyone. He blinked in surprise when he saw Reggie and Jughead hauling a large box through the school entrance. Apparently, he wasn't the only one up early.

He turned to see Betty tapping her foot impatiently. Well, now or never.

"Bets, about the last few days…I…I guess it's been a bit weird." He smiled slightly when he saw her arch an eyebrow. He took a deep breath. "I just wanted to say…I'm sorry. I know you've been under a lot of stress with planning…and well…" He was suddenly unsure of what he wanted to say.

He knew he wasn't doing it right. And from the look on her face, she seemed a little incredulous that he was doing it.

She was more than a little surprised. After the last few interactions with Archie, she'd realized she'd come to expect him to do something that would hurt her. She'd forgotten that she used to think the world of him. He was still essentially a nice guy, but with more than a few thoughtless brain cells in his head.

She started to say something when he put his hand out.

"Wait, I'm not done…I guess for more than a few days, I haven't been the nicest person to you. And, if it took a day of washing soda out of my hair to actually realize that…" He shrugged. "It was worth it."

Betty smiled. "Looks like it was. Don't worry about it, Archie." She laughed at the look of surprise on his face. She was still mad at him but he'd made an effort…for once. She wasn't expecting to forgive him that easily. But, maybe things wouldn't have to be so…volatile.

He hesitated for a minute and held out his arms. "Can I help?"

She handed his the bowls she was carrying, and watched him walk into the school.

She sighed. That was the old Archie she'd fallen in love with. Too bad, she didn't feel those butterflies anymore.


Reggie narrowed his eyes. Archie and Betty talking again. He knew she couldn't stay mad at him for long. That was who she was. That was what had defined her for so many years. He glanced at the bottles of pickles in his hand. He hated pickles. But right now, dumping them in a bowl was infinitely more interesting than watching Knucklehead coming out on top again.

He saw Betty walk in with the other coordinator…what was his name? Sam, Tom, who cared? Whatever it was, he needed that idiot's charts to know where to place the pickles. He was just about to stomp up there and snatch the papers when he noticed Betty smiling. And he knew that no matter how much he didn't give a damn how rude he was, Betty would. And, he didn't want that smile to be wiped off. He sighed. Why was he turning into such a sap?

Maybe Jughead knew his name.

Jughead scratched his head in confusion. Well, that was a first. Reggie had actually managed to have a conversation with him without insulting him. True, he seemed more than a little distracted. He'd constantly been looking at something behind him. What had be been staring at, anyway? He turned around and frowned. He should have known. Unless, Reggie had suddenly fallen for Brian, it was Betty. Of course, he had wanted to know what the male coordinator's name was…

If only life could be that simple.


Mr. Weatherbee smiled. He was glad he'd decided to come. Who cares what his doctor thought? He had to be here at the food fest to give his support to his students. He also had to make sure that Jughead did not sneak away with half the food. He imagined Betty would be able to handle him but…it was always better to be careful. And, it wasn't like he planned to buy any of the…delicious food on offer…but, they did look good. He grinned. Looks like the diet would have to wait. Sorry doc, he murmured.

He walked through the stalls. They had done an amazing job. The place was set up beautifully and there really was an amazing array of food. Luckily, he wasn't too late. It was only 1pm. The food wasn't all gone yet. He stopped in front of the pie counter and sampled a bit of the apple pie. Pure heaven.

"I'll have some of this…Jughead???" That was the last person he'd have expected to be minding the pie counter.

Jughead grimaced. Betty had warned him that Mr. Weatherbee would stop by. They were under strict instructions to sell him only a limited amount of food. This was going to be a challenge. He hoped he was not the one to say no to the principal.

"Sure, sir. Can I have your order card?" They'd decided it was easier to just mark each person's order and have them collect it at the end of the day than have their buyers walk around carrying mounds of food.

He glanced at the card and sighed in relief. Empty. Thank god. He noted the order and returned the card.

"Sir, you really should try those salads on display. They're pretty good." Jughead smiled as Mr. Weatherbee looked incredulously at him and wandered off. He also noticed Betty glancing in his direction and laughing at the next counter. It never hurt to put in a little effort to impress someone.

"That was some advice, Jug. Think he'll listen?" Betty giggled, as she walked over to his counter.

He couldn't think of a single crack to make. He slowly shook his head. She gave his a puzzled look.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah… just being in such close proximity to… the pies…got me speechless." That was a plausible explanation. Untrue but plausible.

She relaxed visibly. She needed to stop thinking so much. "Why don't you take a break for a few minutes? We'll figure out which counters you can manage when you get back."

That actually seemed like a good idea. He needed some air…and some pie. He cut off a piece for himself and ran to the exit. Betty rolled her eyes. It had been a mistake to tell him that he could have a bit from each counter if he felt like it. But, then, it would have been cruel to place in the midst of all this food and not let him touch anything.

Jughead leaned against the wall. It was an incredibly hot day. He was glad they were having the fest inside. He doubted even he would have wanted to sit between so much food in this heat. He paused. No...he would have wanted to, no matter what the weather.

Food was just too important. Why else would he have woken up at 4 to help set up this place? He closed his eyes. Well, there always was the fact that he wanted to help out a friend. Betty was the coordinator, after all.

He bit his lip. That's all it was. Helping out a friend. And being with so much food. And the promise that he could have as much as he wanted from the unsold items. So then… why did the food seem not as important?

"Shouldn't you be inside, trying to convince everyone that the food is poisoned?" Archie's voice snapped Jughead out of his reverie.

"What do you want?" That was a little gruffer than he'd expected it to be.

Archie winced. It seemed like he wasn't everyone's favorite person anymore. "I'd wanted to stop by and say hi earlier… but you seemed busy."

Jughead broke off a piece of the pie and chewed it thoughtfully. He wasn't sure why he was so mad at Archie. "I was busy…I still am."

Archie paused. He needed to say this right. "So why exactly are we…fighting?" He sounded like a character out of a soap opera.

Jughead swallowed. Lately, he seemed to always be irritated with Archie. But he couldn't quite figure out why.

"Jug?"

"I think I kinda realized that you weren't the best person to be around at times…" Jughead stopped. This wasn't going right.

Archie nodded. He'd figured as much. "Like when you're with Betty?"

Jughead cursed as the pie fell from his fingers. That had surprised him. He stared at Archie.

"Jug, look…I'm not dumb. You've been hanging around Betty a lot lately. And you've been yelling at me a lot. Makes sense to me."

Jughead frowned. Well, if it made sense to Archie…He shook his head. It did seem kinda obvious, now that Archie mentioned it.

"Arch…I really..." He stopped. He needed to talk to someone. And Archie was as good as anyone. "I guess it'll help to talk…." He smiled as Archie flopped down on the grass next to him. No matter how much of a jerk Archie could be, he was still a good friend.

He sat down next to the red-haired teen, and looked at his watch. He could afford a few more minutes of break time. Right now, he needed to get this all out in the open. He grinned. When did his life become such a soap opera?


Betty handed the order card back to the little boy. He'd already filled up one side of the card and didn't look like he was close to stopping.

"Reminds you of Jughead, doesn't he?"

Betty turned to see Veronica, examining a cookie. She tossed it back on the plate, muttering something about too much fat content.

"I thought you weren't coming, Ronnie?"

The brunette pointed in the direction of her father. "Daddy was desperate for some cake. I guess he figured this was the best place to find it today."

"Well, there are some pretty good cakes for sale today." Betty arranged a tray of condiments and placed it on the side of the counter.

"So how's the fest been so far?" Veronica looked around. She didn't really have to ask. The cafeteria was crowded and people were still walking in. She shook her head. "Dumb question, huh?"

Betty grinned and waved a hand around. "It's been good so far."

"So why don't you look happier?" Veronica raised a puzzled well-shaped eyebrow.

Betty blinked. That was unexpected.

"Bets, I know I'm not the most perceptive of people. But, I am your best friend." She shot a concerned glance at her blonde friend. "If you have a problem, you can always talk to me."

Betty smiled gratefully at Veronica. "You have no idea how much I'd like that."

Ronnie nodded. "Great. So right after the fest's over, we'll have a girl's night. Aren't you glad we don't have school tomorrow?" She waved and walked towards her father.

Betty stared after her retreating figure and beamed. That's why Veronica was her best friend. She may be arrogant snob on most days, but on those rare occasions…She did have one question though. How did Veronica know?


Reggie leaned back on his chair. Who would have thought helping someone could feel so good? And for some reason, he didn't quite understand, he'd asked Ronnie not to let Betty know.

He looked up at Betty again. The girl needed her best friend. She seemed so down lately. Even he could see that. Veronica just needed a little nudge to make her realize that.

He shook his head. No, he really didn't need Betty to know that he'd helped. The look of bliss on her face was pretty much enough.

Well, the transformation was complete. He had turned into a sap. He smirked. It didn't matter, though

A few more chapters left! R&R! Please!!!