I thought this was the last time
Archie: I'll never forget that night
New years night didn't go as Archie hoped or how he thought it might. He walked home alone after Betty and Jug disappeared. He had a mixture of feelings inside of him but anger was at the four front. Archie could not believe the timing Jughead had but he also could not believe what he thought might of happened if Jug didn't show up. Different scenarios were playing in his head as he walked home. Did he imagine it or was Betty leaning towards him too? He froze when he came upon their street because there under the soft light stood Betty with Jughead as he was leaning against his motorcycle. Archie thought he wouldn't see her again tonight but there she was still looking radiant in her dress.. He pressed his back to a neighbors fence not wanting to be seen. Archie could see them having an intense conversation if Betty's body language was anything to go by. And he knew Betty's every tell, her every movement. So Archie knew she was upset when her arms shot up then plopped back down to her sides. Even though Archie couldn't hear them he knew this was about him. How could it not be, the death glare Jug gave him back at Pop's said it all. Jughead had seen how Archie was holding her and probably seen how he was looking at her. Then Jughead pushed him self up from leaning on his bike and kissed Betty's forehead. Archie watched Jug jump on his bike and Betty turn and head to her door. He watched Betty as she disappeared from his sight, he looked to where Jug was and seen he was gone too.
Archie made his way down the street again when he thought it was safe but he was so lost in his thoughts he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings. So when a small hand landed on his shoulder he was startled. He jumped but when he looked up he saw Betty a grin breakingout on her face. "Geeze... Betty!" She was giggling and staring at him with the most beautiful eyes. "Sorry Arch. I tried calling your name but you were totally gone." She was still laughing but then she stopped suddenly. "Arch?... I'm... I'm sorry!... I just left like that it was very rude. We were there together." He could see how upset this made her and he wanted to reassure her it was okay. "No Betty. Don't be sorry it's not a big deal." Yes. Yes it was a big fucking deal his mind yelled at him. He didn't realize he felt hurt until now but he wasn't mad at Betty he was mad at himself. Mad that she had a boyfriend and that said boyfriend had every right to take her away. "Yes it is Arch. It was me and you tonight we were there together and I dragged you to that party then just left you to walk home alone." She had a deep frown burrowed into her brow. Archie reached out instinctively and smoothed it out with a chuckle. "No worries Betts. I'm a big boy and can make my way home. I did want to say one thing though." Betty looked up at him a hopeful look on her face that he really wasn't mad at her. And he was mad yes. But not at her. He was mostly mad at himself and unfairly he was mad at Jughead. But that was mostly because he had what Archie wanted. "I just wanted to say... Happy New Years Betts." He leaned down and hugged her tightly... but only for a second. It was all he could take if it was any longer he was afraid he wouldn't let her go. Betty looked relieved that he wasn't upset with her and gave him a little half smile. He loved everything about this girl. He loved her giggles... her smiles and the determination she always carried with her no matter the situation. So when Betty went in for another hug and nuzzled her face into his neck and whispered 'Happy New Year's Arch'. His whole body quaked with the breath on his neck. And when she pulled back slightly and kissed him on his Jaw close to his ear his mind shattered with the soft press of her lips. Every nerve in his body was on high alert. He felt every inch of her against him. Felt every curve on his fingertips. Every exhail. Every beat of her heart as if it was his own. And fuck he wanted more, he wanted all of it and for the first time he admitted something to himself that he denied for years... 'I'm in love'. Then he watched her quickly let him go and walk away. He stood there not moving an inch as his mind went foggy and his heart heavy, with the feeling of loss radiating through both. He felt like they both were towing a line but Archie wasn't sure if Betty could feel it too.
Heart Splitting, Body Aching, Devastation
Archie: A Slap In the Face
After New Year's night Archie didn't see much of Betty. He knew why this was but it didn't make it easier. He hadn't really seen or talked to Jughead either. They were all on a cliff and he could feel that all three of them were going to tip over the edge sooner than later. Archie tried to keep his head down and focus on his work at school. He also had been helping his dad with some of his work stuff at Andrew's Construction. Time went by quickly without anymore incidents between him and Betty. It wasn't that he never talked to her it was just more in a group setting. A group of them started to eat lunch together but it was different from when it was just him and Betty. Now it was him, Reggie, Veronica, Betty and Jughead. Archie always felt like the odd man out when they all hung out together. It was difficult to sit and watch as Jug had his arm around Betty or to witness the soft kisses and smiles. A lot of the time he would leave early and head to the music room before lunch ended. He had a free period after lunch anyway so it gave him the excuse that he needed to practice. He did practice though, he almost completed his second song he had been working on. Music always gave him a sense of calm and it was something he could get lost in.
Archie was in the music room again before lunch ended when he was playing the last few notes of the song he had been working on. "That sounds really good Archie". Startled Archie looked up to see who it was. "Oh hey Josie. Thanks it's nothing. Just something I was playing around with". She gave him a disbelieving look. "It didn't sound like nothing. You forget Archie I am a singer song writer myself and I can tell when something is good even by a few notes. Play it for me and I can tell you right now". He hesitated not really wanting to play this particular song. She gave him a come on look so he sighed and started to play. A soft melody filled the room reverberating off the walls of the room going straight through his heart. When he finished he opened his eyes, he hadn't even realized he closed them. He was worried to look at Josie so he just kept his eyes on his guitar. "See. That was... hauntingly beautiful Archie. It's...". She trailed off in thought and Archie looked up at her. She looked at him again and said "It's almost sad... like I could feel your heart breaking". She shook her head and smiled at him, but her words struck him hard. "I didn't realize you had so much depth Archie. I didn't even know you could play it's really impressive". Archie felt too vulnerable and open and he really didn't want to talk about his music. "Um. I guess... it really was nothing Josie". She gave him another look of 'your crazy'. "Whatever you say Archie but that was a beautiful melody". She got up and started to walk away but turned to him before she left out the door. "The Valentine's Day dance is coming up and that song could be perfect for it. Maybe we can see if that song has any words and we could preform it together? Think about it Archie". She gave him a little smile and left. Preforming his song? In front of people? With the Pussy Cats? It did sound fun and it sounded like a good opportunity to get some pointers from Josie herself. There was a lot of doubt inside of him but excitement too maybe this could be good. Josie did not just ask anybody to preform with them. She was very particular but passionate about her music. So it was a huge compliment that she even asked him. Archie would have to think about it his songs were very personal. And the one she liked was about one of the most personal one's he had written.
Everyone was talking about the upcoming dance and how exciting it was going to be to see Josie and the Pussy Cats preform. Everyone was pairing off. That is everyone but Archie he didn't want to go with anyone. Well not anyone he could actually go with. So when Veronica brought it up in front of everybody he almost choked on his pop. "So Archiekins who are you taking to the dance"? They all looked to him... even Betty and he wasn't sure what to say. "Well... I don't think I'm going Ronnie. I don't really have anyone I want to go with". He could tell she was going to argue with that but then someone else stepped in. "Nonsense Archie you will be with us!" He looked up and seen Josie with a wide smile on her face. "Archie is going to preform with us on stage isn't that right Archie?" He was at a lost of words so he just nodded his head. The excitement at the table was palpable, there were so many conversations happening at once he couldn't catch any of them. Josie just smiled and nodded towards him with a "See you there Andrews". And walked off after that creating a slew of questions from all of his friends including Jughead. The only one who wasn't asking anything was Betty she just smiled and he could see the pride on her face. That one action calmed him a bit and he thought okay I can do this.
It was the night of the dance and Archie's heart was pounding and he felt like throwing up. He had drove to pick up the girls and their equipment. They all looked so professional and Archie felt like he did not fit in with their look. He had a pair of Jeans on so he didn't look too dressed up with his suit jacket and a bow tie. Josie just laughed at him and untied his bow tie and let it hang loose around his neck and said. "There now you look like you could be in a band". He smiled thankful for her letting him do this with them tonight. When they arrived at the dance they didn't go through the front entrance instead they went into a back entrance so they could set up behind the curtains. But Archie could see how the whole gym was decked out in red with hearts and lights everywhere. It was a bit over the top so he knew Cheryl had a hand in it but it didn't look bad just over done. His nerves started to come back and his breath picked up. Josie must of noticed. "It's going to be okay Archie just take deep breaths you got this. Just focus on one thing and the crowd will just disappear. Your song is great and everyone will love it... that's a promise. As for the rest let's have some fun". He just nodded and took a few deep breaths. The music over the speaker turned off as they were announced. Then the curtains opened to yells and cheers from the crowd. By the third song Archie wasn't nervous anymore. In fact he was having fun and all of the songs so far have been up beat. All his class mates were laughing and dancing the whole time. It was a thrill to be up on stage playing his guitar along side the girls. Josie had a great voice and he would back her up on some of the vocals. He thought they sounded pretty good together. As the night was winding down he knew it was time for his song and he could feel the fluttering in his stomach. Then Josie announced it and this was it the moment when everyone would hear his song. When she would hear his song.
"Okay everyone our next song is very special. It was written by someone very talented and he just happens to be up here tonight with us!" Everyone yelled and clapped and he could hear his named being called. He couldn't help but blush a bit. "Now this is a slow one so grab someone close to you. And let us end this night with a bang". Archie started to pluck out the first few notes and his eyes closed at the melody coming from his guitar. Then Josie started to sing and it sounded perfect.
I wanna hold the hand inside you
I wanna take the breath that's true
I look to you and I see nothing
I look to you to see the truth
You live your life, you go in shadows
You'll come apart and you'll go black
Some kind of night into your darkness
Colors your eyes with what's not there
Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew
A stranger's light comes on slowly
A stranger's heart is out of home
You put your hands into your head
And then its smiles cover…
Archie opened his eyes and went to the crowd but no one was dancing. They were all standing there looking up at them memorized. He felt like they were looking into his soul he wanted to turn away. But then his eyes locked with hers. It was the first time he was seeing her tonight and she looked beautiful. He was memorized by her the lights were reflecting off her blonde hair and eyes, he could see the tears in her eyes shining back up at him.
Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew
Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew
I think it's strange you never knew
He had to tear his eyes from her once the song was over. And then it was deadly quiet...
It lasted a little too long for his liking. Then the entire gym erupted into applause. It was so loud that Archie couldn't hear his own thoughts. He looked back over to Betty she was still standing there her hand on her heart. On instinct Archie did the same putting his own hand on his. Then she was gone.
The curtains fell and the crowd was still going wild. His heart was pounding it felt like it was splitting inside his chest and getting bigger at the same time. "Ha ha. I told you Andrews". Josie startled him out of his thoughts. "Haunting!" She explained. "Absolutely Haunting!" She was so excited that Archie could feel it too. "Thank you Josie. Thank you for this really!" Josie gave him a hug. "Anytime Archie. Anytime."
After the dance he went home feeling a little lighter inside... more than he had been feeling of late. When he got to his room he looked over to Betty's but her lights were still out. He wondered where she could be but he didn't want to think to much on it so he turned his own light off and drifted off to sleep shortly after.
The next few days went by fast. He was in a good mood. And by the time Monday came around he was still feeling the rush he had on stage. But when he was passing by the Blue and Gold heading to his homeroom everything changed. The only reason he stopped to listen was because he heard Betty's voice. "It was very sweet V. He had candles and a dinner for just us two. There were flowers and everything". Archies heart sped up. "Oh it sounds so romantic. And he planned it all himself?" It felt like he stopped breathing listening to Betty and Veronica talk. "Yeah. And it was. By the end we were laying back on the couch snuggled up together. Then things got... heated". He couldn't hear this he had to get away now but his feet wouldn't move. He heard Veronica squeel. "What happened? Did you guys..." Archie was going to be sick. "It was sweet at first. Innocent kisses you know but then... we were making out and he had me pushed into the couch". That was it. He had heard enough. His heart couldn't hear anymore. He really felt like he lost her completely now. And in this moment he just wanted to sink into the earth and dissappear. But Archie walked away too soon so he didn't hear the last part.
"But something felt off V. I couldn't go through with it. It just didn't feel right... . I told Jug this and he looked so sad V. I think it might be over between us". Betty was sad too but something changed between them and she wasn't sure why.
But Archie was half way down the hall as Betty said this. He didn't realize that something was 'him'.
Hello everyone. Thank you for reading this and hope you are enjoying it so far. First I would like to say I do not own any of the characters or the song in this Fic. It belongs to the one and only 'Mazzy Star. Fade into you' it's a 90's song and was one of my faves. It is a hauntingly beautiful song if you haven't heard it take a listen. I also would like to say how sorry I am for the long wait. Life has been a lot busier than usual and I'm trying to get both my stories wrapped up. So next chapter will have more Betty and Archie together hopefully together together right. Lol. Let me know what you thought. Any suggestions? Let me know. Again thank you all for the kudos and what-not