Archie's POV*
Archie was sat on the front porch of his house, he was strumming out a simple tune on his guitar while he thought about everything that was going through his head. What was he going to choose? Music, football or the business? How could he convince Geraldine to fess up to the gunshot with him and why was she suddenly trying to shut him out? Nothing seemed to make sense anymore it was as if a haze had fallen over his life since the summer ended, even Betty was acting weird around him and that probably worried him the most. Betty was his best friend and Archie didn't want to admit it but without her his life could only get worse.
"Surprised Josie hasn't jumped on the chance to add a new member to her band"
Archie turned around to see John sat on the opposite side of the porch watching him.
"she made it pretty clear that it wasn't going to happen when I met with the band earlier on today, how long have you been sitting there"
"Longer than you have, don't worry I'm not following but now I here...have you figured out what you're going to do yet about football?" John as always was genuinely concerned. Most siblings don't get on with their brother but Archie and John had always been more like friends than brothers. Sure, they'd had their fights but often they were born out of caring or a desire to help.
"I haven't made any decisions yet but...I don't know it's so hard. I mean I love football and I want to help Dad out more than anything but when I'm writing and playing my music it just feels right you know?"
John nodded "You'll think of something" Something caught his attention inside the house and he looked away from Archie briefly before turning back "In the meantime, Dad looks pissed, maybe moms going on another singles cruise?"
They both laughed as their Dad walked out onto the porch, he acknowledged John but focused his attention on Archie.
"I got a call from your coach today. He's under the impression that you can't play varsity football because I'm making you work for me. Which is odd because you made it sound like you couldn't work for me because you were playing football"
"Shit" John breathed from behind their Dad.
"So, my first question is who are you lying to?"
"Neither" Archie replied
"He means both" John said standing up next to his father "Come on Arch let him help"
Archie sighed "Dad, I wanna study music, I wanna write music"
Dad stared at him "Football gets you to college, college takes you to business school and business school- "
"Takes me back here" Archie exclaimed "To work for you in Riverdale"
"Not for me, with me, and your brother too. Eventually when I'm gone you two will own the company"
"No disrespect Dad. I don't want it"
"Three months ago, you did" the disappointment in his father's voice was hard not to hear "What happened?"
Archie shook his head "I've changed, everything's changed. This summer..."
"This summer what?" His Dad leant in, waiting to hear what he had to say but Archie knew he couldn't tell him. He couldn't tell his father how his whole world had been turned upside down with the arrival of Miss Grundy in his life, how she'd inspired him to chase after his talent for music and how her refusal to comment on the gunshot they heard was filling him with guilt every time he passed Cheryl in the corridor. He wished he could tell his father, get his advice but he knew what would happen next and it wouldn't be good for either of them.
Archie sighed
"That's it, we don't talk anymore? I would never force you to play football! I don't care if you play football and you don't have to work with me or for me ever again but some advice man to man. These decisions that you're making now, son, they have consequences. They go on to form who you are and who you'll become. Whatever you decide be confident enough in it that you don't have to lie"
With a shake of his head his father left and Archie watched as he went. When he looked back to where he had been standing, he saw John staring at him, his face concerned.
"Well that could have gone better" Archie said, picking his guitar back up.
"What happened this summer?" John asked
"What?" Archie asked, half hoping that his brother wouldn't ask again and half hoping that he would.
"You were about to tell Dad about something that happened this summer but you stopped. Why?"
Archie shook his head "I don't know it just didn't seem worth saying"
John stepped closer "Then what was it?"
"Jesus man just lay off already, why have you always got to dig into the littlest things I say" With that he pushed past John roughly and left him standing there on the porch, so close to his secret and yet still far away.
*Betty's POV*
Together they walked into the gym for the back to school semi-formal. Betty had her arm linked with Archie's after Veronica and John had demanded that they get to walk in together. If she was Archie, she'd of been thinking that there was something going on between the two however she knew all two well that they'd only done this to force her and Archie together. She wasn't complaining, any excuse to spend more time alone with him.
The hall had been completely overhauled for the dance with streamers and balloons everywhere, it was the best dance she'd ever seen but the decoration was overshadowed by the morbid atmosphere created by the giant banners of Jason Blossom that had been hung from the roof. There was something unnerving about a giant portrait of Riverdale's dead golden boy watching your every move.
"Well" Veronica said in a low tone as her and John walked into the gym from behind them "Its not the met ball but it'll do"
Betty turned to Archie "Hey, when do you have to let Coach Clayton know about football?"
Archie went to answer but Veronica interrupted him "Guy's cant we just liberate ourselves from the tired dichotomy of jock, artist? Can't we in this post-James Franco world be all things at once?"
Next to her John laughed "I can't be the only one who understood none of that"
That made Archie smile "I'm working on its Veronica"
"Work faster" she said in a playful voice "I'm getting punch"
With that she grabbed Johns arm and walked away but not before flashing Betty with a look that said You got this!
Now she was alone with Archie, the boy she'd fell for and she couldn't think of a single thing to say, she wasn't good at small talk like Veronica and she wasn't funny like John. She was smart but somehow, she didn't think that would interest Archie very much...or would it, with her smarts she was good at one other thing, advice. Despite what Veronica said about giving his problems a rest she knew she could fix them for him if she put her mind to it.
"It's about following your heart, right?" She said to Archie as they walked deeper into the gym "What does your heart say? Music or Football?"
She straightened his bowtie for him as they lined up to dance but he seemed distracted.
"Betty will you give me one minute? I promise when I get back, I'll be a much better date, okay?"
Betty nodded as he walked away towards the teachers table. She'd missed her chance, again. She looked around and saw John approaching her with Kevin.
"Betty listen to this story so I won't be the only one with permanent scarring...hey where did my brother go?"
"he went to talk to somebody I think, I lost sight of him by the teachers table"
"I'll find him, you better listen to this story or I'm gonna record it and set it as your ringtone, there is no escape" John laughed and ran off to find Archie.
Kevin held her arms up, his face full of glee "Betty you will not believe who just propositioned me in the bathroom. Give you a hint, his name may be Moose but I'd describe a certain appendage of his as horse-like"
Betty frowned in disgust as Kevin laughed
*John's POV*
John scoured the hall for his brother, he'd been past the teachers table but no one was sitting there anymore, he was about to throw in the towel and give up until he saw him. Sat alone on a bench with Miss Grundy. It was strange until he realised that Grundy was in fact the music teacher for the whole school, if he was going to go to anyone for advice it would be her although their conversation seemed a bit tense. John hung back, he didn't want to ruin the conversation but he kept tabs on it, he couldn't understand what it was but something about their interaction seemed off to him.
He momentarily lost track of them after spying Reggie Mantle pouring something out of a hip flask into the punch. When he looked back Miss Grundy was gone and Archie was sat on his own. John approached him as silently as he could before grabbing him by the shoulders and making him jump.
"What's up bro, why're you sat here by yourself when things are this lit"
Archie laughed "I think I just figured it out, Miss Grundy is going to do an independent study with me before school three days a week which means I can still do football and dedicate my weekends to helping you and dad"
"Archie, that's great news but just FYI I think you better get back to Betty since you kinda just left her high and dry out there"
Archie got up quickly "Oh yeah right, cheers man, are you coming with?"
"Naw man, I'm meeting Jughead in half an hour so me and Will are gonna see if we can't get at least one phone number before I have to leave. It's hard being lonely"
Archie raised an eyebrow "You wouldn't be alone if you didn't insist of chasing after Cheryl Blossom even though she flat out hates you"
"Love is love little brother, now get out of here, oh and don't drink the punch you'll thank me for it later"
John watched as his brother ran off to find Betty and hoped beyond hope that she finally got up the courage to ask him, they deserved each other more than they knew.
*Archie's POV*
He reached Betty just as Cheryl started her speech.
"Good evening friends" Her voice blared out through the speakers "Are you all having a good time?"
A loud cheer resounded around the hall, someone wolf whistled and somehow, he knew it was John.
"As honorary chairperson and de facto queen of tonight's semi-formal, it is my great pleasure to introduce these evenings main entertainment. To know them is to be obsessed with them. Though they usually perform their own material, tonight their making an exception and debuting a cover of the song that my parents claim they were listening to the night Jason and I were conceived. This one's for you JJ"
Archie turned to Betty "Sorry about that, just had some things to sort out"
Betty just smiled back at him and in that moment, he realised how lucky he was to have a friend like Betty Cooper. Someone who would always be there for him and would never judge his choices or mistakes but would help him always. He didn't know what he would do without her.
On Cheryl's command Josie and the Pussycats began to play All through the night by Cyndi Lauper and the rest of the hall lined up to dance.
"Wanna dance?" he asked Betty
She smiled and nodded as they took their positions.
"Did that go okay?" she asked
"Yeah. So, I'll study with Grundy before school, football practice after school and work with my dad on the weekend, it's gonna be nuts"
Betty laughed "Well as long as you don't give up your passion"
They danced for a little while, Betty still seemed of like she had earlier and when they'd met that night at pops. It was like there was something that she wanted to say but she just couldn't bring herself to say it. He put it down to him overanalysing it besides, he had enough to worry about all ready.
Betty looked to her left for only a minute but when she looked back her face was reddening.
She laughed nervously before speaking "Now that I'm a River Vixen and you're gonna be on varsity football...I have this fantasy of us as a power couple...or maybe even just a couple"
Archie's smile faded, suddenly he was caught of guard and his brain just couldn't find the words to say. Was she asking him out? This was bad, she was his friend, his best friend he hadn't thought about her like that for a long time.
"Betty" he began but he already regretted it, his voice sounded too scornful.
She shook her head "Is that so impossible to imagine?"
He looked away from her and his eyes focused on Miss Grundy who was staring at him from across the hall. In that one look he knew where his heart lay. He didn't want to ever hurt Betty but what was he supposed to do? Lie to her? Go out with her knowing that he wanted something else? He knew what Betty would do in this situation, she'd be a good friend, she'd tell it to him as it was. That's what he had to do and maybe it would be better in the long run.
Betty pulled away from him as the music began to slow and everyone around them clapped the pussycats for their performance. Archie looked up at the stage and noticed Cheryl Blossom looking intently at them both. He gave her a tentative wave, unsure of why she was directing her attention at him. Whatever it was about, when it came to Cheryl Blossom, it couldn't be anything good.
*Veronica's POV*
When she'd agreed to come to Cheryl's after party, she hadn't thought anything of it. She was a newly accepted River Vixen she was probably just breaking her and Betty in and as for Archie well, she'd only been here a day but she knew his transformation was the talk of the town.
Then Betty told her about her attempt to ask out Archie and immediately her rich bitch senses began to tingle. If she knew girls like Cheryl Blossom (and she did) then this after party guest list had been specially crafted for some hell raising. She had no doubt Cheryl could sniff out drama like a bloodhound and with Betty emotionally crippled she'd have to look out for her as best she could.
"It's game time at Chez Blossom kiddies!" Cheryl announced "We're going old school tonight. Seven minutes in heaven"
Great, this can't be good she thought.
"Who wants to tryst in the closet of love first? My vote is A for Archie" you could practically see the intent in her smile.
If only she had John with her, that would throw Cheryl off her throne.
"Wait actually-"Archie began to protest but Reggie cut him off
"Yes Andrews, yes! Go on" and just like that the decision was no longer Archie's. God, she hated teenagers.
"All right gather round kids" Cheryl ushered everyone into a circle "Let's see who's riding the ginger stallion tonight"
Cheryl picked a bottle off the table next to her and spun it on the carpet. Each rotation the bottle got slower and slower and even before it stopped Veronica had a dreadful feeling that she knew who sods law would pick. Naturally the bottle landed directly on Veronica, it wasn't even close enough to Betty for her to protest.
"Ohh shit yeah" Reggie yelled excitedly. Archie looked at her awkwardly from across the room.
"It's clearly pointing to, the new girl. This should be fun" Cheryl smiled icily at her and Veronica smiled back trying to muster more ice than that bitch.
"Umm I'm not doing this?"
"That's up to you" Cheryl said frustratedly "but if you don't the hostess gets to take your turn"
There it was. The impossible situation. If she went into the closet with Archie, Betty would never forgive her but better her than Cheryl Blossom. Who knows what lengths she'd go to in her quest to hurt Betty Cooper. It almost felt like saving Archie too.
"Fine" She grumbled and before she knew it her and Archie were locked in a less than spacious closet together. What exactly Cheryl expected them to do in the 3 feet of space that they had she'd never know but they had to pass the time somehow.
"I know her brother died and everything but Cheryl Blossom truly is the antichrist" Veronica whispered to Archie.
They both laughed awkwardly.
"So, do you miss New York?" Archie asked, it was clear he was trying his best to break the ice given the circumstances.
"It's been less than a week but yes"
Archie looked at his watch "six minutes and twenty seconds to go, you're turn"
It felt like they'd already been in here for hours.
"Ask me a deep probing question to kill time"
"It looked like you and Betty were having fun at the dance"
Archie's smile faded a little "Definitely we've been friends forever, my turn"
"I didn't ask my question yet" Veronica replied bluntly "Is that all it is? Just friends?"
"We're not just friends we're best friends, my turn" he insisted "Did you have a boyfriend in New York?"
Oh god, it's happening, please don't let him like me.
"No, My turn. Could it ever possibly become something more?"
"Are you asking for Betty or yourself?"
"For Betty" She replied firmly although part of her knew that it wasn't true "And you didn't answer my question"
"I have never felt whatever it is I'm supposed to feel with Betty"
She felt the impact of those words, it was a crushing blow for Betty and she knew that after this she'd have to go and tell those exact words to her and crush her herself. So why then for a second had she felt happy about his answer.
"Have you felt it though?" she asked tentatively "with anyone?"
"Yeah, this summer. You?"
"Maybe once" Her heart was beating so hard she was afraid it might burst from her chest.
"you're a little more dangerous than you look, aren't you?" Internally she was screaming, this was wrong. It was supposed to be Archie and Betty but it was as if the old Veronica was back at the reigns. Urging her on, urging her to indulge.
"You have no idea" The reply threw her off guard. What did he mean by that?
"Your turn" she found herself saying as she began to lean in towards him "Ask me a question, Archie. Ask me anything you want"
They were so close that their lips were almost touching now. She could feel the tension, the heat rising between them.
"We shouldn't do this" She breathed.
"We definitely shouldn't do this" he agreed.
Their mouths met and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Any guilt melted away, in fact almost everything melted away as she became lost in the moment. The closet, the people, her friendship with Betty. In that one moment none it existed, there was only her and Archie. Then it was over and she was filled with guilt like she'd never felt before. They backed away from each other. Archie checked his watch.
"Looks like it's time to leave" he said blankly.
They both slowly exited the closet, the moment still registering in her head. They walked into a room full of people who were staring at them.
"Nailed it" Reggie said under his breath.
At the back of the room stood Cheryl with an evil grin on her face.
"Where's Betty?" Veronica demanded
"She spiralled and fled" Cheryl said in a sickly-sweet voice "between us, she's a lot higher strung than she looks"
Anger exploded inside her "Your shady bitch"
Veronica stormed out of Cheryl's house with Archie in tow.
Archie tried calling her but clearly got no answer "Crap Betty's cell is off"
"I'm getting an Uber" Veronica announced.
"Can I come with you? We should probably find her"
"Believe me the last thing Betty wants is us tracking her down together. We messed up"
*Jughead's POV*
It was midnight when his old friend Archie Andrews arrived at the one place in town that was still open. It was also where he and John were having one of their meetups. After losing Archie in the summer John had become his number one compatriot, they'd meet for a burger, he'd read him the next chapter from his novel and John would update him on the Betty and Archie situation that was taking up most of his time. It annoyed Jughead that Archie was so oblivious to Betty's feelings. Then again Archie was making a habit of that so it was hardly surprising. After yesterdays interruption Jug and John had agreed to meet again after the dance but when Archie walked into the diner looking more worried than Jug had ever seen him, he knew that they'd have to reschedule again.
Jughead nudged John and pointed out his brother and together they watched as he approached pop at the counter.
"Hey pop, Betty hasn't come in, tonight has she?"
"No. Just the nighthawks in tonight"
"Thanks" Archie went to walk away then spied him and John in their booth. John beckoned him over to them and Archie reluctantly complied.
"Hey John, Jughead"
John looked up at his brother with concern "Why are you here, you said you were going to Cheryl's afterparty in your text"
"I don't want to go into it but I'm terrified I lost my best friend tonight" Archie said forlornly
Jughead chuckled "If you mean Betty, whatever happened just talk to her man, I would go a long way...would have gone a long way with me"
Archie's eyes took a sudden interest in the floor but John stood up and grasped him by the shoulders.
"What did you do? You know what never mind I know where we'll find her and its not here. Sorry jug looks like I'm needed again" John shook his hand before dragging Archie with him out of the diner.
Jughead shook his head, poor Betty.
*Betty's POV*
Betty was a wreck. She'd hadn't even been able to hear what had gone on in that closet but the images she formed in her head and the things the people around her had been saying was more than enough to make her spiral. This hadn't been how she'd imagined this night at all, she'd been sure that she and Archie had been meant for each other and that Veronica was one of the best friends she'd never had but now those dreams lay in pieces at her feet. She'd considered running to pop's and seeking out John and Jughead but she didn't really want to be around anyone right now, she was hurting to much so she'd gone back to the one place where she knew no one would first think to look for her. Her home where her mother would be waiting to say 'I told you so' until she died.
As she walked up her front steps, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to see Archie Andrews looking up at her. Her heart exploded all over again. They walked towards each other and all of a sudden it was like Betty knew what she needed to ask and how to ask it. The pressure was gone.
"I'm not going to ask what you did with Veronica at Cheryl's. I'm asking you now, right now, if you love me, Archie...or even like me?"
Archie took another step forward "Of course I love you Betty but I can't give you the answer you want"
"Why"
"You are so perfect"
There was that word again. God, she hated it and to hear it from him was like a punch to the stomach.
"I've never been good enough for you, I'll never be good enough for you"
And just like that the wall was up. Any hope she had was crushed in that sentence. He'd never want her because she was too good, she wasn't what he wanted and she couldn't change that, it was out of her control. She nodded and tried to think of something to say, some excuse to give even just a reason why he was wrong but for all her smarts she came up with nothing. Instead she just turned around and walked away, it was all too much. Her heart was broken and she wasn't sure if it would ever heal again.
*John's POV*
John couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Are you fucking insane? That girl was obsessed with you!"
They'd entered a full-on shouting match after Archie had walked into the house and told him that he'd just let Betty walk away. John just couldn't understand it. As far as he knew Betty was the best thing in his life and he couldn't fathom why he would turn her down. He was angrier at himself though if he was being truthful, all this time he'd been reassuring Betty that Archie did love her and now this had happened and John was left feeling like he'd been betraying her all summer.
"What was I supposed to do? You can't just go out with someone because they want you to, it has to be mutual and if I'd have said yes that's exactly what it wouldn't be. It's better for her in the long run"
"Betty would have done anything for you and it's not like your attached or bristling with options right now. It's not marriage Archie what could possibly stand in the way of you just giving it a go?"
Archie turned on him "Maybe I've got my eye on someone else?"
"WHO! Who the fuck cares about you more than she does because I can't think of a single person, is this why you bailed on Jughead this summer? For some secret girlfriend that you're now ditching Betty for as well?"
"John that's not fair and you know it!"
"Fair? I'll tell you what's not fair, that girl is up there with her heart broken because all summer long I've been reassuring her that it'll all work out in the end. How am I ever going to tell her that you care now?"
"you shouldn't have been doing that in the first place when you didn't know a thing, if anything it's your fault!"
John was about to bite back when his phone began to buzz in his pocket. Taking it as an opportunity to hold back from saying something he'd regret he whipped out the phone and read the message he'd been sent. Then read it again. He read it a third time just to make sure that what he'd seen was true.
"Oh my god"
"What now" Archie grumbled.
"Jason...Kevin found him...he was shot!"
Continued in Chapter Two...
Hey readers, that's chapter one done and it only took...11216 words give or take across all three parts but it was totally worth it, I love expanding out the inner monologue's of the character's and to me John is such a fun character to insert into the storyline. I know at the moment it feels like I'm just adding him in for the point of adding him in but I promise I've got some big plot points planned for him in the future that will change the way that we get to the ending of season one as we know it. Let me know what you guys think of John and since we're taking this show and rolling with it let me know what pairings you'd like to see even if the cannon couples do end up being together in the end.
Cheers for reading and I'll see you soon at the end of Chapter Two...