Wow, I have nothing to say... I'm sooo very sorry. Time just kind of got away from me. I love all of you guys for the reviews. You guys are amazing!

Disclaimer: Still don't own em.

Chapter 10

Veronica drummed her fingers on the table top. "Can we go now?"

Betty held a finger to her lips, shaking her head. She watched as Mr. Weatherbee counted the earnings from the fest. She couldn't tell from his expression whether it was good news or not. The event had seemed like it had been a success. And they had kept Jughead from eating all the pies… That had to count for something.

"You do realize that Daddy can make up the difference, right?" Veronica's voice broke into her thoughts.

Betty smiled. "I don't think that would go down very well with the Bee. He's a little too proud for that"

The brunette shrugged. No one could say she hadn't tried. She leaned against the table, crossing her arms. She was bored and she wanted to go home. Besides, she was very curious about what had gotten Betty down. Like it or not, the blonde girl's happiness did matter to her, arguments over boys aside. She stole a glance at her friend's face and sighed. She did look like she had a lot on her mind.

Betty waited for the principal to be done. It was probably a good thing the Bee was being so careful, taking his own time to count each note twice or thrice. She took a deep breath. Why was she so anxious? She bit her lip. The last few days had been so confusing. And now Veronica had offered to help talk it out with her. No matter what Veronica's faults, she was usually pretty astute. Betty knew she was going to have to thrash out everything tonight. She thought that was what she wanted. But, now that it was just around the corner…she wasn't sure she was ready for it.

Jughead peered over Mr. Weatherbee's shoulder. He was pleasantly surprised that he was not shooed away. He was also quite surprised at how much he hoped they'd made enough money. He always figured he was proud of the school but thought it was in a somewhat detached manner. Instead, here he was, leaning over his Principal's shoulder, desperately wishing that they reached their goal.

He wondered if it had anything to do with Betty. Was she rubbing off on him? She'd always shown a quiet sense of school spirit. Never loud, never annoying like those overzealous fans at the school football games. But, more dignified, somehow… more effective.

He looked over to where she was standing, all the way on the other side of the large room. She'd stopped picking up the trash near her tables and seemed to be waiting for Mr. Weatherbee to be done. Well, her area wasn't that messy to begin with. Unlike his designated tables… He sighed. He'd really have to get started on them soon. Why couldn't they have just hired a cleaning service?

"Yo, Mr. Weatherbee, we're growing old here. I can see the best years of my life flying by." Reggie smirked

Mr. Weatherbee glared at him. "Reggie, you just made me lose count... I do hope you're happy."

Reggie tolled his eyes. "You've been at it for an hour. A child could have done it faster."

Mr. Weatherbee ignored and him and started again. Reggie stifled a groan.

He hadn't meant to interrupt but he was getting restless. Of course, he could have left. He was done cleaning up his designated area. But, he couldn't seem to leave. He hated how he felt. He was Reggie Mantle. He was always so sure of himself. And now… he turned to look at Betty. What was she doing to him?

He thought back to the last few days. He'd actually been there for her, and not for anything other than the fact that he wanted to see her smile. If it had been anyone else, he'd have tired of not getting anything out of it. Instead, what had he done? He'd asked her best friend to cheer her up. He'd always thought of himself as someone who could make any girl forget her troubles. But, this time, he wanted only what was best for her.

Mr. Weatherbee stopped counting. He slowly turned to the waiting teenagers. Well, wasn't that surprising? There were actually quite a few of them staring back at him. Betty, Veronica, Reggie, Jughead, Archie, Dilton, Ethel, that boy whose name he couldn't remember… He'd expected everyone to have headed home. Looks like the old school still had the power to make the kids care.

He drew in a deep breath. "Well, after counting and," he glared at Reggie," recounting… I'm sorry to say, we're still short of our goal." He paused as he took in their groans and frustrated grumblings. And slowly let a smile spread on to his face.

He held up his hand, calling for silence. "I'm sorry to say that we're still short by… five dollars… Which, while I may be on an educator's salary, I'm glad to say I can quite easily provide." Pause and wait…

Well, that cheer was a lot louder than he'd expected from just eight kids…

"One more burger, Pops!"

Pop Tate shook his head. How could that boy eat so much and be so skinny? He looked down at his own bulky body. Life wasn't fair, he thought, as he placed the plate in front of Jughead. He watched as the other kids cranked up the volume on his jukebox. No reason for them not to. This was a celebration, after all. The fund raising activities were a grand success.

"Thanks, Pops," Jughead looked up at the older man.

Pops smiled. Maybe life wasn't so bad. Where else would he be looked at with such awe from a teenager?

Archie slid into the booth next to Jughead. "Do you plan on talking to her?"

Jughead glanced in Betty's direction. She was sitting next to Brian and Veronica, staring at her drink. She did look tired. Which made sense... the day had started early. He watched as she pushed away a strand of her hair. It refused to stay in place, falling into her eye again. He shook his head. He really did need to talk to her.

He turned to his best friend. "You're okay with this?"

Archie slowly nodded. "I'm not going to deny it, I'm not completely sure. But…" he paused "… she deserves so much better that what I've ever given her." He sighed. Why had it taken him so long to realize that?

Mr. Weatherbee kept a close eye on Jughead's food intake. Why had he agreed to pay for this celebration? He'd been so caught up in their happiness, he'd rashly suggested it. And here they were at Pop Tate's and he was sure to not have enough to pay for all Jughead was going to eat. He groaned as the boy ordered another soda. Maybe Pop could use some help with the dishes…

Reggie nodded absently at whatever Dilton was saying. He had a vague idea he'd just agreed to be the guinea pig in some science experiment. He didn't really care. He looked down at the purple liquid he was drinking. He couldn't finish it. Maybe Jughead would…he stopped. He tried to see where Jughead was. Why did he have a bad feeling…?

His eyes narrowed as he watched Jughead walking towards Betty's table. Well, two could play at that game. Reggie stood up. This was going to end tonight.

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