Chapter 1: Beginnings are ... Easy?
Betty:
There was a time in my life when I thought I knew everything I wanted was right in front of me. That it was right there in my grasp. But as time would show I was wrong. Timing would play a huge part in leading me down a path of heartbreak. I never realized I was not going to be the only one who would feel this way. This longing this pull that would never let go no matter how time went by. But this is not my story. I think everyone already knew the depth of my feelings, no this is about a boy. The boy next door./p
Archie: Summer before sophomore year
The summer was almost over and it was bitter sweet. I couldn't wait to get back to school but also I didn't want to let go of the summer that already seemed so far away. I had been working with my dad all summer...it had been hard work but good. And I got to spend time with my him and learn the family business. Then something happened this summer that changed everything. It had shifted my whole life and was altered forever. /p
I was walking home from work one afternoon leaving later than usual. My dad had left earlier so I decided to just go home on foot. I heard my named being called. "Archie". looking over my shoulder. "Mrs. Grundy?". He said in confusion... "Hey I thought that was you. What are you doing walking on the side of the road?". She looked interestingly at him. "Just heading home had to work a bit later today". She looked different out of school younger maybe even pretty. Archie thought as he leaned down looking into her VW bug window. He noticed her looking him up and down and a thrill shot through his whole body. "Would you like a ride Archie" she said as she leaned over to unlock the passenger side door.
That moment there and then that decision would pull him down a course his life was never meant to go down. Now a much darker path lay ahead...if he had know what was to come he would have never gotten into the car. Archie opened the door and hopped in. As they were driving she started to ask him about his work and his summer vacation. Then things would get a bit more personal. "So Archie working for your dad this summer seemed to really pay off. I didn't recognize you at first you look... bigger, older". Archie could feel her eyes on him. When he looked over at her he could see something in her eyes. Something he didn't know how to explain. "Yeah its been good. I have been thinking of taking over the business when I graduate so better to learn now". He could tell she was taking the longer way back into town towards his home. "Is that what you want to do with your life Archie" the way she said his name had chills running down his spine. A weird feeling in his body that didn't feel right. "Well yeah ... but I have always been interested in music...into the guitar mostly. And writing songs but how am I going to make a living out of that".
He had always wanted to see what he could do when it came to his music. He had played around with it but didn't feel very confident in himself. "You should definitely explore that more Archie. I could even help you if you want. I could show you a few things". She said with a smile that looked closer to a smirk. "What are you doing this weekend?. I could give you a few lessons and we can see just how talented you are. This could be another road for you Archie something that could take you far". Archie was intrigued at the thought of doing something else... of a life maybe outside of Riverdale. "You would do that?... I don't want to take away from your time off ". She locked eyes with him so intently it startled him for a moment. "Of course Archie. I would love to help you discover your passions... for song writing". As she placed a hand on his leg smiling sweetly. This made Archie a bit uncomfortable but quickly passed when she removed her hand. He needed help and Mrs. Grundy was the perfect person to help him.
Excited at the prospect he agreed immediately. "Yes... I would really like that Mrs. Grundy". He looked over at her with a smile. "Please call me Geraldine Archie we are not in school. Maybe we can meet by sweet water river and get started Friday evening let's say... 5 pm?". Just then she pulled up in front of his home. He hadn't noticed they were there already or how she knew where he lived but didn't think to much into it. "Sounds great thanks again Geraldine ... see you then." Archie smiled and turned to open the door when he felt her hand on his arm lightly moving her fingers down his forearm. "See you soon Archie". She said with a light smile on her face. He smiled back feeling a little jolt go through him. He got out feeling a sense of excitement at the possibilities of this opportunity and what it could bring him. Little did he know what this decision would do to him...or a very particularly special someone that he hadn't let himself notice.
Archie watched as Mrs. Grundy drove away. Turning around he looked to his right at the White House next door. He thought of his best friend and what she was doing at this moment. He missed her. She had left for the summer doing and internship in Colorado. "It would look great on my college applications" she had said. He thought of her often. They never spent this much time apart. She would be home in 2 weeks and he couldn't wait.
Opening his door to go inside he was greeted by his dog Vegas. He has had Vegas since he was 5 years old. For an older dog he was still very lively. "Hey boy". Archie said kneeling down to pet his dog. He remembers him and Betty playing in his backyard with the puppy. Every summer they would make up games running in the yard with him in tow. Moments like this he see's how much time has flew by. They were so small so innocent. The day he met Betty would be a day he would never forget. The little sweet smile and wave she gave him. He knew right then and there they would always be friends... Best Friends.
As he was lost in the past he heard his dad. " Hey Arch is that you?" He walk towards the kitchen. "Yeah dad it's me". As he walk through the door he could see his dad cooking dinner. "Where you been?...took you longer to get home today". Archie felt weird telling his dad that he got a ride from his teacher. He wasn't sure why but he didn't want to tell him. Archie never lied to his dad he didn't like the feeling it gave him. So he told a half truth. "Lost track of time didn't notice how late it got." He changed the subject as fast as he could. " what's for dinner smells good in here". He released a breath when his dad didn't press him more. "Steak and potatoes. Almost done go and take a shower should be done then".
Archie ran up the stairs just in case his dad started to ask more questions. He hopped in the hot shower. He hadn't realized how tense his body was. As the hot water was pounding down on him his muscles relaxed. He had so much running through his mind. Now that he might have a shot at something he really loved to do. Playing the guitar always gave him a sense of calm. Music was something that made him happy. It also reminded him of his best friend. When they were younger they would stay up all night listening to records. They would lay down on the ground of his room and hold hands just listening to the sounds coming from the record player. "Safe"... that was the feeling it gave him. A warmth. Before he knew it all he could think of was Betty as a warm feeling went through his entire body. Feeling strange thinking of his best friend in the shower he shut the shower off and got out.
As he was dressing he looked out the window towards Betty's window. Hundreds of memories flash through his mind seeing her grow up from that very window. He couldn't wait for her to come home. All he wanted to do in this moment was tell her all about his plans to write and play music. She is the one person he knows will always have his back. That would support him in his dreams no matter what they were. Two weeks he repeats in his head 2 weeks and she'll be home. Smiling Archie heads down to eat.
After dinner he headed to his room for bed he had to be up early. He entered his room pulling his guitar out from under his bed. He wanted to tune it before Friday so he would be ready. It was Wednesday just two days before he could start really practicing with Mrs. Grundys help. He wanted to get some songs done before Betty came home so he could play some for her. He laid down closing his eyes excitement coursing through him at the thought. This weekend would bring something new and exciting for him and his future. What Archie didn't know. That it wasn't exactly the type of excitement he would be expecting. It was a lot darker and confusing. And for a boy of sixteen it was something he wouldn't understand before it was much to late. And he would be changed forever before the week was out. As Archie slipped into sleep the last thought he had was of a smiling Betty.