It's weird talking about your first day of school after graduating more than once. I'm finally cool! Are you proud of me?
I always knew my little girl was an 09er at heart. No one asks for a pony that much.
Yo, Pops. They got a Pop's here.
?
It's a diner. If I get stuck in the 50s, send help.
Veronica slipped her phone back into her pocket. It felt good talking to her dad, to have some string still attached to Neptune. Logan was overseas until next month, so she'd been spending more time at work and with Keith until the Blossoms rang.
Pop's diner was exactly as she'd expected it to be. Milkshakes, a jukebox, waiters with the silly hats, and Pop Tate himself, a large man whose graying hair stood out against his dark skin.
The girls placed their orders, and a few minutes later, two teenaged boys walked in. She recognized one as Archie, and the other was a lanky, dark-haired kid with a gray beanie. As they approached, Veronica could see the wear on the hat, indicating its frequent use and washes. This guy was clearly the type that didn't take that hat off for anything.
"Hi, Juggie!" Betty's mouth turned into a wide smile as the dark-haired boy approached. He sat next to her, and Archie joined the Veronicas.
"This is Jughead," Betty offered. "Jug, this is Veronica."
The boy with the hat, Jughead, groaned. "Oh God, there's two of you? Pinch me I must be dreaming. No, wait, it's a nightmare."
Veronica smiled warmly at Jughead, hoping that appreciation of his wit would put her in his good graces. She turned to business. "So, what kinds of clubs are there at school? I really want to find some good extracurriculars."
"Well," Archie started. "I play football. Betty and Veronica are cheerleaders…"
"Jughead and I write for the Blue and Gold," Betty interjected.
"What's that?"
"The school newspaper," Jughead sighed. "I'm more of a prose person, but Betty dragged me into helping her look into Jason Blossom's murder.
Bingo.
"Maybe I could help you guys. I was a photographer for the paper at my old school." Another truth. She was surprised how little she'd had to make up on the spot, but then Veronica remembered she'd have to put together a cheer routine in the next few days.
"That would be awesome," Betty said wide-eyed. "And it'll be good to have someone else you can trust. You and Ronnie are the only ones who weren't here when it happened."
Veronica gave a sweet smile, but for the first time since arriving in Riverdale, she was more excited on the inside than the outside.
Not only did she have an in, but these were people she could work with. An intrepid blonde and her charming male sidekick team up to solve a murder in the town's most affluent family? She could relate.