Chapter 1: She loved being on a motorcycle.
The thrill of the wind going through her hair beneath the helmet. The speed which made the lights dance in front of her eyes. Her arms wrapped around her boyfriend while he was driving. The sensations when they took a turn. Seeing the city at night, on a motorcycle, with the man she loved the most, was nothing if not perfect.
And it seemed that her life was as so for a moment. Leaving the dream out there in New Haven for two years now. Studying investigative journalism while he spends his courses learning about English literature. Having an internship in a local newspaper and publishing a few short stories while guarding a library at night. Who would have thought, before they moved together away from the madness of their hometown, that it could be that easy and refreshing to just experience life as young adults?
Riverdale tend to take away the reality of the outside world with it. This town swallowed their youth, innocence and naivety to only spit back bitterness and regrets. After all the tragedies that followed them and their friends in high school, it was just right to escape and forget all about it. Live freely and recklessly. To love and be loved, simply.
The engine slowly started to fade and the driver put his foot down to stabilize the machine while shutting it down properly. The girl took her helmet out to reveal long blond hair falling over her shoulders. She moved her hand in it and instinctively tried to arrange it in a strict ponytail but the boy took her hand in his and kissed it to let her know it was good as it was. She smiled at him and waited for him to put his iconic beanie on his hair which, wind and helmet combined, looked like a war took place underneath. She had lost the habit of arranging her hair every time but neither one of them could renounce that hat. After all, it saved him a couple of years ago. Back when they almost lost each other for ever. Dark period from a haunted past they were trying every day to get behind them. Besides, that man looked unrealistically sexy with it.
The last couple of years have felt like a lifetime for the both of them but it didn't really change who they were. Nor their romance, their interests, or their friends. Although everyone kind of drifted apart. Veronica and Kevin moved together in NYC. They moved to Connecticut. Cheryl and Toni had left college for a year and were currently traveling Europe. Archie declined the academy and stayed in Riverdale. Hence, diner plans for the night att Pop's. Gathering the Scooby gang in the same place for the first time since that dreadful day the year before. The day one of them had to say forever goodbye to a close relative.
Somethings did change, or evolved per say. The serpent leather jacket of the king became the average black leather jacket which was, she had insisted on that, motorcycle approved. She had her own as well. The pastel colors were replaced by actual colors, not shades of ones. And for the occasion, to match her blue eyes, she chose to wear a bright blue dress synced on the waist and draping to her knees. With it she had made an audacious make up she would have never tempted while still leaving with her mother. Cheryl red color lips, something her cousin offered her for their graduating ceremony, and she could use only when they did not meet. She was stunning. Her man kept looking at her with both unconditional love and passion. Thoughts she also shared towards him. His fashion sense didn't have a breakthrough, but the years continued to shape his body with newfound muscles. The dark haired was no bodybuilder type however they did regularly exercise together in the bedroom.
They walked, holding hands, and entered a place field with countless memories. Milkshakes perfumes in the air, a warm welcome from the owner, and their friends waving hands from their booth. The same they used to sit at after school for hours dreaming about what life would be after Riverdale. They rushed over and after hugging, sat next to each over. Pop's arrived immediately with four milkshakes and a plate full of fries he put in front of the beanie boy with a wink. The gang smirked as the man started to eat before speaking a word to his friends.
"Betty, I missed you so much!" whined Veronica grabbing her friend's hands with a big smile and visibly excited to meet her. "Jughead, as usual a pleasure to see your chewing face."
Jones quickly smiled to confirm he was indeed busy but here nonetheless and happy to be.
"Yeah guys it's really good to see you after all this time. And here! This is great", continued a certain ginger boy across from Betty.
"Agreed", said the latter who had not stopped smiling since seeing their sights. "How long has it been, a year? How are you?"
"Don't you girls chat together every day?" argued Jughead.
The brunette ignored and took the lead in filling in the group with her latest life updates.
"Well, Kevin has finally moved out of my apartment in New York to go to his own with his roommate / soon to be boyfriend and probable ex-boyfriend too. I mean, I love the drama queen, but a girl can only take much whining over theatrical studies and soap opera love. My apartment had become a tragedy stage with and without rehearsals. I'm a management and entrepreneurship student. Like whom has the time? Plus, I needed the space."
"Why do you need the space for, you have a penthouse", questioned Jughead between two bites?
Betty nodded in agreement.
"True, and since when do you get tired of Kevin's stories?"
Both Veronica and Archie looked at each over and he took over the conversation. Not that Betty, our prime investigative student didn't notice the silent awkwardness between them.
"I sold Andrews Company."
The couple gagged.
"Wait Arch, you sold your Dad's company? Why? I thought it was your legacy and you couldn't give it away."
"Precisely, you almost did once and then you retracted, remember?" Followed Jughead.
Again, Veronica and Archie exchanged looks for a second and she sighed. Then smirked.
"OK, we need to tell you something important and exciting."
"As you know, since you all left me here for colleges, I stayed and worked hard on my community center. After last year's events it shut down and I went back to Andrews Constructions with M. Keller. Now he and Mrs. McCoy miss Kevin and Josie, so they want to move to New York."
The couple listened tightly but were already aware of those things. They wanted what came next. They nodded at every information they got and Jughead even stopped eating his fries.
"So yeah, they found a new apartment and move in a few weeks. Ronnie and Kevin helped them find it."
The raven-haired girl confirmed with a smile.
"I, hum, I wasn't happy with Andrews constructions. I mean, yes, it's my dad's legacy but it was never what I wanted to do with my life. So, Humm, I started looking for new opportunities and…"
Veronica couldn't stand Archie's never-ending explanations and claimed the speech.
"Archikins and I met several time in New-York lately. We kind of reconnected and I managed to find him a job near my place. Kevin and Josie have been helping him apply at the same courses as her at the university. He has a meeting next week with a recruiter and I have no doubt this lovely face will get in for the next semester. So, he needs a place to stay in New-York. My place has a new opening space. Voila."
Betty and Jughead's chin dropped. She was the first to regain speak.
"You reconnected? Like you two are back together?"
Varchie didn't survive the long-distance relationship after graduation. Veronica had her studies, her business with Cheryl, her New-York fantasy with Kevin, her dad's condition and... Whereas Archie decided to pass his SAT's and work harder on his community center. They barely saw each other and, as much as they wanted to support one another, they couldn't make it work.
"No", rushed Miss Lodge, a little too quickly for Betty's opinion, "I am just helping a friend, who happens to be my former lover from high school. I am nothing if not generous."
"Exactly! Ronnie, Kev and Josie offered me this great opportunity and I am super excited about it. But I am also nervous about this meeting."
"Nothing to fear Archikins, just water over a duck's back."
Betty looked at the both with a /I don't believe that charity speech/ look.
"Ok, it's great Arch! I am really glad for you. And V, it will be good for you to keep someone at the apartment. Especially if it's you", she said pointing a finger at the boy across from her. "You deserve it after …everything."
The group agreed in silence.
The city girl had had, indeed, a rough year. Hiram's condition got worse and worse. To the point he could barely move and talk. It was unbearable for her and, in order to spend more time with him, she quit the Maple Rum operation with Cheryl. He was killed nearly a year ago. Hermione left the day after. Varchie shippers hoped they would reunite but she needed to cope with this on her own.
"I bet you won't last three days without jumping into each other's arms again", muttered Jughead. "You sexual beasts", he added with a smirk.
"You are the one to talk mister sex tape in a dorm", retaliated Ronnie.
"Hey! Don't involve this in here", reacted Betty instantly.
"Your boyfriend initiated the competition."
The teasing faded. Nonetheless, Veronica's harsh response and Archie's non reaction and visible embarrassment left Jughead and his girlfriend sure that Varchie was not terminated.
"What about you two lovebirds in Connecticut?" Pursued Ronnie.
Jughead resumed to eating his fries and the blonde briefly showcased how happy they were and how life there was all they wanted it to be. Normal.
"That is a relief, God only knows you two deserve some quietude and happiness considering all past events", commented the brunette.
Betty took her best friends' hands in hers and looked at the three persons she adored most in the world.
"You too. We all do."
"Where are you guys staying by the way? And how long?" Archie asked.
"With M. Jones and Mrs. Cooper who moved to Greendale, you don't have your childhood house to go back to", anticipated the dark-haired lady.
"That would have been so much better", sighed Beanie boy.
Varchie arched their eyebrows in question.
"Cheryl insisted that we go to Thornhill for this vacation. The girls left the twins with Nana Rose and a nurse, that is probably a robot considering how picky she is with strangers. And they get back from Europe Thursday, so they want to see everyone of us while we are here."
"I tried my best to find any excuse to say no but Toni insisted as well and Bett's didn't want to put a fight with that ginger devil."
"And I am thankful I get to see the twins. We probably are going to have to go back home by Sunday so, that leaves us a whole week. Same for you guys, right?"
The other couple confirmed and they started to plan the week they were going to have together. At some point they had ordered burgers and around midnight, Archie offered to go to a new bar nearby. They agreed and after paying Pop's, he led them behind the counter.
"Archibald you must be confused, the door is the other way around pal", teased Jughead.
The blonde looked suspiciously at the girl next to her.
"Didn't you close La bonne Nuit when leaving for New York?"
"I did, too much management to do, I wanted the time. But I still own the place you know."
"So what? The plan is to drink in an empty cabaret", questioned Jonesy.
"Why don't you wait and find out for yourself?"
Archie waved at the others so they would follow him to the former speak easy. When they entered, it was not only open for business, but also filled with people. Music raging from stereos, alcohol everywhere and Reggie Mantle behind the bar.
"What happened to this place?" Began Betty.
This one spotted them and shout at them.
"If this isn't Cooper and Weirdo themselves who honor me with their presence!"
The friends approached the counter and lined in front of him.
"V. you re-opened?"
"And redecorate apparently, you forgot to abandon the giant cockroach behind the counter", continued said weirdo.
"No, I opened my own bar", explained the bartender giving Jughead a look that said, /Nice punchline/. "I called Veronica a few months ago and asked her if I could buy her this place."
"I didn't sell. But I had no problem with renting the place and helping him settle his new business."
"We opened about a month ago and, so far so good. What do you guys want to drink?"
"Whao, this is, unexpected", was the only comment Jughead could make.
Betty looked shocked, and then started smiling widely.
"I think this is good for you and you are obviously doing fine."
"Thanks Cooper, this is all for Veronica and Archie who helped me do it."
"Veronica Lodge, the good Samaritan, savor of those in needs."
"Did you doubt my generosity and selflessness M. Jones?"
They ordered cocktails while catching up with the ex-classmate. Then they sat at a table near the former stage, transformed into what appears to be a VIP thing. Like in the clubs. Definitely the Bulldog's idea. The owner, visibly, had some critiques about it but decided to keep them for herself.
The group of friends continued to chat all night. It was a delight. A moment they would cherish forever. The last peaceful night they had before the chaos of Riverdale ran back to them.