Veronica and Betty held each other's hand, as they entered Riverdale High that Monday morning. Both Betty and Veronica knew they were making themselves public and they could no longer careless of what others had to say. As they were walking through the school's entrance, Reggie caught the sight of the new couple and pointed at them. Cheryl and the rest of the group, turned their attention towards Veronica and were all shocked and confused.

But Veronica held her head up high, as Betty squeezed Veronica's hand. As the pair walked past, Valerie came up to Josie and Cheryl holding up the school newspaper.

"You guys won't believe what Veronica published." Cheryl snatched the paper out of her hands and read the headliner.

River Vixen's Exposed. In it, it was an article of complete criticism towards Cheryl and how she managed the squad. She knew Veronica wouldn't get into trouble since it was published, approved and merely 'educating students.' Cheryl huffed out in anger when she scrunched the paper, as the dreadful feeling of defeat sinked into her stomach.

The following night, Veronica walked Betty to her door after seeing a movie together. Smiling, she quickly placed a kiss onto Betty's lips.

"I love your hair down like this." Veronica mumbled against Betty's lips. At the exact moment they pulled away, Alice opened the door.

"It's time to say goodnight. Betty, say thank you to Veronica." Alice said sternly.

"Goodnight, Betty." Veronica said, still having a shy smile on her face.

"Thank you for tonight, Ronnie. I'll see you tomorrow." Betty smiled back.

"Goodnight, Mrs Cooper." Veronica said, as Alice only nodded. Once left alone, Alice turned to face her daughter.

Alice looked down at Betty."Elizabeth, your behaviour is getting out of hand. You're acting like you're-"

"In love ?" Betty cut her mother off.

Alice stayed silent, but her facial expression still remained cold. "Betty, you're a child. You don't know what love is."

"Mum." Betty smiled reassuringly, but Alice wasn't falling for it. "I'm not a child."

"Then stop acting like one !" Alice scolded.

Betty's face turned serious. "I love her."

"Then be fair to her, Elizabeth. Before things get worse." Alice warned, before walking back into the house. Betty looked back into the direction of where Veronica's car once was before she drove off, feeling sadness as the truth in her mother's words stayed in her mind.

The night was cold, as the two were in the cemetery. Betty had told her mother that she wanted to see the stars tonight and she'll be home by eight. Although, that wasn't a complete lie, she smiled mischievously as she met up with Veronica. The smaller girl was laying out a blanket in front of her, while Betty was adjusting the knobs on her telescope.

"What do you want to see tonight ?" Betty asked.

Veronica looked up from laying out the blanket. "How about... Pluto ?"

"Uh, Pluto isn't visible until a few minutes before the sun rises." Betty said.

"Right." Veronica said, as if she knew. "In that case, I have some hot coffee if we want to wait it out to see it ?" Veronica smirked knowing Alice would have her head if Betty didn't return home. "And an extra blanket." She added.

Veronica stood up and walked over to Betty, kissing her on the cheek as she pulled out a folded piece of paper from her cape. "If you can't find Pluto... Then can you try and locate this star ?"

"Sure." The blonde took the paper, as smoothed it out before looking into the telescope to locate the star. "Why am I finding this star ?" Betty asked, her focus on the telescope as she looked into the vast, night sky.

"Because I had it named after you." Veronica admitted. Betty looked up from her telescope, as she watched Veronica pull out a scrolled piece of paper from it's tubular casing. "It's official. From the International Star Registry." Veronica held up the document as Betty came over to take a look at it, her eyes tearing up in joy.

"Ronnie..." Betty said in awe. "Thank you." Veronica only smiled, before Betty leaned in for a kiss. "I love you." Betty whispered.

"I love you too." Veronica kissed Betty's cheek before taking a seat on the blanket and gestured for Betty to join her.

Betty sat next to Veronica and smiled with contentment, as she felt warmth radiate around her. Not from the blanket, or the hot thermo. But from simply being in Veronica's presence. "How did I get so lucky, to have met you ?"

Veronica snuggled into her side, noticing her skinnier frame. Betty placed a kiss on her forehead as she did so. "It was fate." Veronica replied.

That Friday night, after a week of school, Betty and Veronica decided to go around town. The pair ran into some of Veronica's old friend who simply looked embarrassed to see Veronica with Betty. But all Veronica could do was glare at the girls before they walked off.

"They don't have anything better to do with their lives, don't they ?" Veronica said lightheartedly when Betty only stared ahead in response. "Speaking of lives, what do you want to do with yours after high school ?"

"Nothing." Betty replied shortly, as they now entered an empty alley.

Veronica looked at the girl in confusion,"nothing ? Not even college ?"

Betty shook her head no.

"Well, what are you going to do ?" Veronica asked. Betty turned and stood in front of Veronica, her eyes rimmed in red as tears were beginning to form.

"I'm sick." Betty said.

"Are you feeling alright ? I'll take you home-"

"No, Ronnie." Betty sighed in frustration. "I'm sick." She repeated the words more slowly. "I have leukaemia."

Veronica's initial reaction was to laugh, and so she did. The smaller girl shook her head no when Betty wasn't laughing with her as she began to fall into denial. "No, you're not sick, Betty. You're perfect."

Betty shook her head, as she hated the word 'perfect.' Tears were now streaming down the girl's eyes as she explained to Veronica her condition. "I found out two years ago, and I stopped responding to treatments."

Veronica took in the words as she was met with the harsh reality of Betty dying. It all made sense to her now. The list, Betty's low appetite, not participating in PE classes and how skinny she's gotten. "Why didn't you tell me ?" Veronica asked, feeling betrayed.

"The doctor told me to live my life as normal as possible." Betty reasoned with her, "I didn't want people to be weird around me, or treat me differently like I'm made of glass."

"Including me ?" Veronica snapped, letting her anger overshadow her sadness and awaiting tears.

"Especially you !" Betty said, sobbing now. "You know, I was getting along with everything just fine. I accepted it, and then you came into my life !" Betty wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her cardigan before she ran off down the alley.

Veronica watched her go and for the first time in a long time, she felt lonely again. The raven haired girl clutched her pearls, as tears began to fill her eyes before breaking down into sobs.

Thank you so much for your reviews so far. Keep them coming ! I hated writing this chapter... But fluff is yet to come !