Betty was sitting at Archie's desk with her head buried in her textbook as she studied for finals. Her head was crammed with so much information she could hardly keep it all straight. Just when she thought she couldn't take anymore, Archie came in from practice. He was still a bit sweaty from his workout.
"Seems like a bit much for someone just going through the motions before he graduates," Betty motioned towards his soaked shirt.
"Yeah, just felt like I needed a good sweat," Archie tossed his gym bag in the corner, "Um, Betts, the team has decided on the end of the year getaway."
"Oh, cool," Betty replied, "I can entertain myself for the weekend. Might actually be nice. Finals start next week."
"Uh, yeah, you can stay if you want," he frowned slightly. Things had been awkward for them since they'd slept together, yet in keeping with their agreement, neither had the guts to bring it up.
"Did you have another idea?" she turned towards him.
"You could join us," he replied, "All the guys are being their significant others, and Julie's coming too. You two seem to be hitting it off."
"Yeah, she's great," Betty commented, "I don't know, Arch. Sharing a tent? Isn't that gonna be a little weird?"
"We share a room," he pointed out.
"The room's bigger, and we don't sleep in close quarters." Though they'd been sharing a bed for several weeks, after they'd had sex, there was a silent agreement that they would sleep separately, trading back and forth between the bed and the futon.
"I'm sure I could find another tent if that would make you more comfortable," he offered, "It's not like we'll be in them for anything more than sleep."
Betty tilted her head, "Don't you just want to hang with your friends for one last weekend? I don't want to be in the way."
"You couldn't possibly," he assured her, "The guys like you. If you need to study, you can always bring your books."
"Yeah, that's a terrific idea," she snorted, "Haul thirty pounds of books into the woods."
"If you'd rather not, I can make excuses for you," he assured her, "I just thought maybe you'd want to have some fun. You've been through a lot of heavy stuff, and I thought you might want to get out of the room for a while and enjoy the fresh air."
Betty looked at him and an involuntary flash of memory flew through her mind of the night they shared, and she felt hot all of a sudden.
"Betty?"
"I need some water," she said lamely.
Archie pulled a bottle of water from the fridge and handed it to her.
As she gulped it down in a few drinks, he looked at her curiously, "Better?"
"Yeah," she nodded, "Can I sleep on it?"
"Sure," he bobbed his head, "I'll need an answer before practice tomorrow. Julie needs the final headcount to give the campground."
"No problem," Betty put her books aside and lay down on the futon, looking at the ceiling.
She nearly jumped a mile when she felt his hand on her forehead.
"Sorry, you're looking a bit flushed," he responded sheepishly, "I was checking for a fever."
"I'm fine," she swatted his hand away.
"I'm going to jump into the shower," he replied, "Any requests for where you want to go for dinner?"
"The cafeteria is fine," she shrugged, "I'm going to for a walk. I'll be back by the time you're ready."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Archie asked.
"I'll be fine," she assured him, "There is almost zero chance Louis knows I'm here."
"Okay. Be careful," Archie hesitated. Realistically he knew he couldn't be with her at all times when she was out and about, but he was always a bit uneasy when she left the room without him. He had to hope that her ex truly knew nothing about him or where to find Betty.
"I will," Betty nodded before she slipped out the door and down the hall. Once she was out of the building, she pulled out her phone and dialed Kevin.
"Hey, Betts," Kevin answered her call after a couple of rings, "How's my favorite blonde-haired beauty?"
"I'm in trouble."
"Then the boy will marry you," he said.
"You're hysterical," Betty snorted, "And by the way, it's the twenty-first century. No need for a shotgun wedding."
"Okay, Spaghetti, what's going on?"
"Archie wants me to go away with him, his boxing buddies, and their girlfriends for a camping weekend."
"Oh, yum, can Fangs and I join you?" Kevin asked, "All those boxing abs on display, yes, please."
Betty rolled her eyes and laughed, "I'm telling Fangs you said that."
"He's sitting right next to me," Kevin chuckled, "And he's bobbing his head in agreement. We may be monogamous, but we can still appreciate the male form."
"Okay, but that's not the point."
"What is the point?"
"I might have to share a tent with him."
"Archie?"
"Yes," Betty nodded.
"So?"
"It could be awkward."
"Why would it be awkward?"
Betty closed her eyes, "You and by extension, Fangs, are not allowed to say a word to anyone about what I'm going to tell you, okay?"
"Betty, what did you do?"
"I mean it, Kev," she demanded.
"Cross my heart and all that," Kevin assured her.
"I slept with Archie."
"Ok, now you have my attention," Kevin replied, "Tell me everything. How did it happen? How was it? And why are things awkward?"
"Oh, god, Kev," Betty pinched the bridge of her nose, "I screwed up. We went out to dinner. We had a couple of beers. The night just felt right, but I asked him only as a friend, as sort of a comfort thing. There wasn't supposed to be any feelings or awkwardness later, but right now, that's all there seems to be."
"Beep, beep," Kevin replied, "Back the truck up. How did you ever think there would be no feelings involved? It's you and Archie. You've been dancing around this horizontal mambo for years."
"I should've just slept with him in high school after we kissed. Then this wouldn't have happened," Betty sighed.
"Oh, Betty," he sighed, "It was due to happen how it happened. You two needed to work through all your crap separately before you had any hope of being together."
"We're not together, not like that," Betty snapped at him.
"Why the hell not? You're sleeping in his room."
"On a futon," Betty reminded him.
"Right, never on the bed," she could practically hear him rolling his eyes.
"I hate you, Kevin Keller," she hissed at him.
"You love me," Kevin shot back.
"I have to go," Betty said, spotting Archie looking for her. "I'll call you later."
"There you are," Archie looked relieved as he approached her, slinging an arm around her shoulder. His hair was still wet, and his shirt clung slightly to his torso because of the moisture lingering on his skin. He'd clearly been in a rush when he dressed.
Betty fought not to jump out of her skin at his innocent contact. Her emotions were just all over the place. She didn't know what to do about what she was feeling. "Sorry, I was talking to Kevin. You know how it goes with him. I lost track of time."
"It's okay," he assured her, "I'm really hungry. Couldn't wait much longer."
"No problem," Betty smiled. "Let's go eat."
Betty stared up at the ceiling in the dark. They'd had a slightly awkward dinner together and then returned home so they both could get some studying done. She'd gone down to the common room to call Kevin back. They'd made plans to have Kevin and Fangs swing by campus to pick her up on their way to Cheryl's graduation, and he insisted on teasing her some more about her horizontal mambo with a certain redhead. It had taken an extra ten minutes after the call to calm herself so Archie wouldn't see the flush of embarrassment on her cheeks. They'd gone to bed a short while later since he had to be up early for his morning run.
She could hear Archie's breathing across the room and smiled a little. She fleetingly wondered what it'd be like to listen to it twenty years from now.
She turned onto her side to face away from him, chiding herself for how ridiculous she was being. Archie was doing exactly what she asked of him. He was being her friend and not allowing the awkwardness of their interlude get to him, but for some reason that irritated her. Maybe she wanted their night together to affect him as much as it did her.
She didn't know how she was going to do it, but she had to put what happened out of her mind. She had to find a way to move on. He obviously had. It would start tomorrow. She'd accept his invitation to the camping trip because he was right, she needed some fun in her life, and she liked his friends. She'd sleep in the cramped quarters of his tent and do her best to actually sleep and not let what happened a few nights ago invade her dreams.
Little did she know that a few feet away Archie was having his own troubles sleeping.
Julie was so excited when Betty and Archie made their way to the camping site after his last class of the day. Everyone was arriving on their own schedule based on their class load. Archie and Betty were one of the last to arrive.
"I'm so glad you made it," Julie hugged Betty as she was helping Archie set up the tent to put their belongings inside.
"I'm glad to be invited," Betty replied, "I mean, technically I'm not a significant other."
"Closest Archie's ever had for these things. For all his charms and good looks, he always shows up to these things stag," Julie assured her, "Technically I'm not part of the team or a significant other."
"You're the team manager," Archie offered.
"Unofficially," Julie laughed, "Arch, I'm stealing Betty away. I want her to meet my girlfriend."
"Yeah, sure, I got this," Archie motioned towards the still collapsed tent, "Just don't keep her all weekend."
"I'll return her in short order," Julie assured him, "She won't be any worse for wear."
"How come I haven't met this significant other before?" Betty asked as she was led away.
"Samy's the quiet sort. She doesn't like the bar scene, and she's definitely not a karaoke fan," Julie said. "She does however like the outdoors, which is why I plan these trips at campgrounds every year."
"Oh," Betty nodded as introductions were made.
Betty really liked Julie's girlfriend, Samy. She could see that she wasn't as outgoing as Julie, but she and Betty had something in common, they both worked for their university's newspaper, even if Samy wasn't a journalism major. They compared notes for a bit before Archie came to claim her.
"Hey, we're doing some girl bonding," Julie protested, "Betty has been starved for some estrogen interaction since you're practically keeping her in your dorm under lock and key."
"Sorry, but I'd like to spend some time with her before dinner," Archie told Julie before he turned his attentions to Betty. "Can we take a walk?"
"Yeah, let's go," Betty waved towards the girls.
"We'll have more estrogen time at the campfire," Julie called after them.
"Can't wait," Betty laughed.
Archie grinned, glad Betty was relaxing.
"Are you glad you came?"
"Yeah, I really like Julie, and her girlfriend, Samy, seems nice too," Betty replied.
"Yes, she is," Archie nodded, "I don't know her that well. She doesn't like boxing that much, so she's never been to a match."
"She seems shy," Betty nodded.
"Luke has nothing but good things to say about her, so she's got to be okay if he's okay with her dating his sister."
"I guess the seal of approval from the twin brother is about as good as anything else," Betty replied.
"I hope you don't mind me pulling you away," Archie wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Not at all," Betty said, "Did I tell you that Kevin asked to come and watch you guys and your abs on display when I told him about this?"
"How have he and Fangs made it through college with all his attempts at ogling?" Archie chuckled.
"He's all talk," Betty snorted, "I think he and Fangs are kinda like Cheryl and Toni. Separate sides of the same coin. They just seem to compliment each other. Where Kevin is outrageous, Fangs is easy going. He always says he doesn't mind Kevin looking so long as it doesn't involve touching."
"Ah," Archie nodded, "How is Cheryl? Aside from the short conversation we had after you got here, I haven't really heard a lot about her."
"She's good," Betty nodded, "Losing Nana Rose was tough, but she got through it."
"And Toni?"
"Toni is the best person Cheryl could've ever found for herself," Betty smiled.
"Yeah, they were pretty great together in high school," Archie agreed.
"They're even better together now," Betty replied, "Cheryl still says pretty much whatever is on her mind, but being with Toni has really stabilized her."
"Sounds about right," Archie grinned.
"I was worried about Cherry when Nana Rose died," Betty admitted, "You know what Penelope and Cliff were like. Nana Rose was her parent, official title notwithstanding. Knowing she's got Toni? It makes me worry about her a little less."
"What are you wanting to do tonight?" Archie wanted to shift the conversation away from the heavy topic.
"This is your team's trip. I'm just here for the fun," Betty replied.
"We're not really into group activities," Archie admitted, "It's not like summer camp."
"I hated that camp," Betty groaned, "I would've happily strangled that counselor by the end of the first week."
"Yeah, I remember reading that in your letters," he chuckled.
Alice had sent Betty to an all-girls summer camp when she was thirteen. Betty had originally been excited about it, thinking it would be something out of the 'Parent Trap' movie they'd watched as kids, but the reality was anything but. She hadn't gotten along with her bunk mates. She'd ended up with a particularly bad case of swimmer's itch and ended up in the infirmary. She'd been so home sick; she'd called her mom and begged her to come get her. The end of the month couldn't come soon enough.
"You can laugh because you weren't there," Betty frowned.
"The rest of the summer wasn't so bad," Archie remembered.
Betty grinned at the reminder. As soon as she returned from camp, the pair were nearly inseparable, much to Alice's annoyance. "True enough, but I don't think Jug ever truly forgave us for the hair dye."
"He looked good in green," Archie snorted. "And it was a serpent color."
"I thought Gladys was going to kill all of us," Betty laughed. "JB loved it though."
"Yeah, well, JB's style pretty much screams oddly colored streaked hair," Archie smiled affectionate, "God, I miss that girl."
"Yeah, me too," Betty agreed, "She's done really well since she and her dad returned to Riverdale. I still can't believe she's only got one year left before she goes to college herself. That's totally crazy."
"I know," Archie shook his head, "I still think of her as this little kid with Rosie the Riveter hair."
"I'm impressed," Betty nodded.
"About?"
"You knowing who Rosie the Riveter is."
"Hey, I paid attention in my American history class," he replied.
"Just teasing," Betty smiled at him before she took in the wooded surroundings and the lake in front of them, "This is really pretty."
"Yeah, I've been to this campground a few times with the guys. It's not as great as the forests back home, but at least there aren't any dead bodies to be found," Archie replied as they found a stump to sit on as they overlooked the water.
"Yeah, we have had some unfortunate luck in forests," Betty recalled.
"Yes, we have," Archie nodded. "Looking back, maybe I should've taken it as a sign."
"A sign for what?"
"To get as far away from the Lodge family as I could. It was pretty much around the time Veronica and her mom moved to Riverdale that things seemed to go crazy."
"I don't know that we can place the blame all on the Lodges, but they have added a lot of unneeded drama into our lives, but you're far away from that now," she reminded him.
"I just have to hope I stay off Hiram's radar when I return to Riverdale," he sighed heavily, "If my dad's company wasn't there waiting for me, I'm not sure I would be going back especially with him still being mayor and all."
"Yeah, you would," she nudged him lightly, "You belong in Riverdale. It's your home. Hiram Lodge is just someone passing through. I bet he'll be gone before too long."
"It'd be nice, but unless he's voted out, I don't think he's going anywhere," Archie shook his head.
"Maybe Sierra wants to run again," Betty frowned.
"And that has to mean that everyone is going to vote Lodge out," Archie frowned, "So far they haven't seen reason."
"Maybe I should investigate the polling practices in Riverdale before the next election," Betty smirked.
"Do you think you'll be able to find a career near Riverdale?" Archie asked.
"I hope so," Betty let out a nervous breath, "I have a few options, but I still haven't heard back. Fingers crossed."
"It'd be nice to be back there with you," he said quietly.
"Yeah, it would," Betty smiled. "I just have to figure out a living situation. I can't move back into my mom's."
"Why not?"
"I try to respect Jug's relationship with FP. It's still better than mine is with Alice. I told you when I'd go home for the holidays, I'd stay at the Blossom hunting lodge. Well, if I move back to Riverdale, I'd feel weird about moving back into a house with Jug's dad and sister, and even though I'm sure Cheryl would offer me a room with her, I can't see myself living there fulltime."
"I'm sure you'll figure something out," he assured her.
"Yeah, I've got time," Betty agreed, "It's not like anyone who hires me would expect me to start tomorrow even if they offered me the job. Not to mention, I still have to graduate."
"No, I'm sure you've got a bit of time to sort things out," he agreed.
"What about you?" Betty asked, "Are you going right back to Riverdale and taking over Andrews Construction?"
"Maybe," he shrugged, "Uncle Frank has been running the business while I've been at school. I've worked with the crew during summer breaks, so it's not like I don't know the guys at all. It's still going to be weird to be the guy calling the shots now. Mom and Uncle Frank actually suggested I take a few weeks after I graduate to just chill out, maybe take a road trip or something."
"That sounds like fun," Betty replied.
"Would you want to come with me?"
"Oh," Betty's lips formed the shape of her response, "I don't know. It depends on where my job search lands me."
"Yeah, good point," he bobbed his head.
After finishing their hike, they returned to the campsite. The team members were all gathering around the fire pits to cook hot dogs. Archie went to help out.
"Really, the team eats hot dogs?" Betty noted as she joined Julie and Samy by one of the fires, "I thought all health food unless they were karaoking at the bar where it was pizza and beer."
"Hey, we splurge on occasion," Luke overheard her comment.
Betty grinned at him and then turned to Julie and Samy to discuss a movie they'd all seen under duress.
"My high school boyfriend made me go," Betty shook her head. "He's got writing aspirations so sometimes his picks were a bit on the pretentious side."
"Oh god, I remember that," Julie groaned, "Dated this horrible guy in high school. That was back when I was still in denial. He was some sort of artist. All he wanted to do was spend time in galleries looking at these pretentious pieces of arts and then ask my opinion on what I thought the artist intended with the piece. Thought I was going to die of boredom."
"What about you, Samy?" Betty asked, "Any dating horror stories?"
"Well, I never really went through that denial phase. I just went to a school with a bunch of unenlightened jerks," Samy admitted.
Betty frowned, "Now that I think about it, for a small town, Riverdale is surprisingly enlightened. I'm sure there are people who think my cousin and her girlfriend are going to hell along with one of my best friends and his boyfriend, but no one ever really talked crap to them, at least that I saw."
"Things have gotten better," Samy assured her.
"How long have you two been together?" Betty asked.
"Two years," Julie replied, "We're moving to New York after we finish college. Samy's got a job lined up already, so I'll be her piece of arm candy until I can find something on my own."
"You designed the boxing team's website, right?" Betty asked.
"Yeah, I mean, I can do way more than that," Julie replied, "I also developed software for the team to use to help keep track of their training and nutrition programs. The trainer says it's the most brilliant thing he's ever seen, and I should market it."
"That's high praise," Betty replied, "Archie says the team's trainer is top notch. Companies are going to be lining up to hire you for their IT department. Provided it's where I end up, when you both get a free weekend, you should visit Riverdale. Archie and I can show you around. If you're good, I'll even introduce you to Cheryl and Toni."
"That would be great," Julie smiled, "Archie said it's only a couple hours outside the city."
"Depends on who's driving," Betty laughed, "For Archie, yeah, it's a couple of hours. He's got a bit of a lead foot. For you and me, it's probably more like three and a half."
"Good to know," Julie bobbed her head.
"Hey, you should look at working for law enforcement," Betty suggested, "They're always looking for people that are good with computers."
"Oh, I've applied everywhere," Julie responded, "You hear all about IT being the best career for people just getting out of school, but everywhere I've applied wants at least two to four years of IT experience. It's ridiculous. How do you get experience to qualify for these jobs?"
"You start off small time," Betty advised, "Look for a company that's only a few years old or one whose webpage sucks. That's where you'll get your experience. Stay for a few years and if you like it, great, if not quietly put out feelers for a bigger job that requires the experience you now have."
"That's actually not a bad plan," Julie bobbed her head.
"Betts, just mustard on your dog?" Archie called out from his spot at the fire.
"Is there any other way?" Betty asked.
"Several, but I gave up trying to get you to try any of them years ago," he grinned at her.
"It's too bad Samy already has her job lined up," Betty said, "I'm sure Riverdale PD could use a good IT person."
"It could always be done remotely," Samy chimed in, "Isn't that half the joy of computers? Being able to work from anywhere."
"Yeah, but I'm pretty sure Riverdale PD hasn't updated their computers since my mom was in high school. It would be a full-time job bringing them into this century," Betty grinned.
"So true with small towns," Samy laughed.
"If you want me to put in a good word, I'll do it. I'm really close friends with the sheriff's son, and one of his deputies is my stepdad," Betty offered.
"I'll keep that in mind," Julie replied, "How is it you just came into our lives? You and Archie seem so great together. I mean, I know you're not together-together, but you're obviously very close. How is it you never came to see him fight?"
"I did…once," Betty bit her lip nervously, "I snuck into the national championships."
"Really?" Julie raised a surprised brow, "And you didn't tell Archie?"
"Not until recently," she admitted, "It's all very complicated."
"It must be," Julie replied, "No matter the reason, I'm glad you're here now."
Archie returned to Betty's side with two plates of food, one for each of them.
"Where's our chow, Andrews?" Julie asked.
"I'm not here with you. You've got to scrounge up your own," Archie chuckled as he earned a backhand to his shoulder courtesy of Betty. He motioned towards Julie's brother approaching with two plates, one for his sister and the other for her girlfriend. "Luke's got you covered."
"Lukey, you're the best," Julie beamed at him in reply.
"It's what big brothers do," he winked at her.
"He's all of ten minutes older than me," Julie rolled her eyes as Luke went off with a few of his buddies and their girls.
After dinner was consumed, Betty went to use the facilities while Archie saved them places around the bonfire.
"Who the heck invited her?" an unfamiliar voice spoke just outside the bathroom building. The voices wafted through the open-air vents. "It's my last shot at having the Red Hurricane experience, and that blonde bimbo has to go ruining it."
"They're just friends," another voice stated, "I overheard her telling Luke's queer sister."
Betty quickly finished her business and was washed her hands, hoping to get to them before they were gone. She rounded the corner just as the pair were turning to rejoin the group around the fire.
"Off to make your move?" Betty's arms were crossed in her bitch stance as the boxing groupie, Jess, she remembered hanging out at karaoke was standing with another girl. She'd had enough of these mean girl types to last a lifetime, "If you think you have any shot at the Red Hurricane experience, you are sorely mistaken. Arch doesn't go for the phony, drama queen types like yourself. Yeah, we're just friend, but even if I wasn't here, you'd still have no shot. And yeah, you want to talk about that queer as you called her, I dare you to mention that to Archie. Did you know he's good friends with several 'queers' as you call them? We both are. His mother is even in a relationship with another woman, has been since he graduated high school, so yeah, he's more than accepting of the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. Hell, he flies the rainbow flag proudly every June."
"You say one word of this to anyone, and we'll make your life miserable," Jess advanced towards Betty in a threatening manner.
"I'd really like to see you try," Betty laughed.
"I did some digging on you," Jess's eyes flared, "I know exactly who you are, Elizabeth Cooper, and I know who your daddy is."
"You think threatening to expose my father as the black hood is any type of threat?" Betty scoffed, "Go ahead. Tell everyone what a low life my father is. Hell, I'll even throw in some extra dirt for you. My older half-brother, yeah, he's also in prison because he's a serial killer. Did you know there is such a thing as a serial killer gene? Yeah, I've got it, and right now I'm so feeling the urge to make you two my first and second victims."
"Does your boy toy know any of this?" Jess hissed.
"Oh my god, you really are dense," Betty rolled her eyes, "Archie and I grew up together. Did you know that one of my father's almost victims was his father? Yeah, my father shot his. If Archie and I can get past that, then you're damn sure we can get past whatever smear campaign you've got cooked up. Go ahead. Go back to the bonfire and tell everyone all my dark secrets. I can guarantee when the dust settles, I'm still the bimbo sharing a tent with the Red Hurricane tonight."
Betty turned on her heels and joined the group at the bonfire. She was practically spitting fire as she plopped down next to Archie.
"Everything okay?" Archie wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He could see in her posture that she was pissed as hell, but he didn't have a clue why.
Betty sighed heavily as she leaned into his embrace, whispering in his ear, "I've discovered how narrow minded that boxing bunny, Jess, is."
"She's not worth any energy," Archie told her.
"She knows who my father is," Betty replied, "What if she knows who my ex-boyfriend is and has ratted me out?"
"Then I'll protect you," he kissed her temple.
"I see why you call her a drama queen," Betty sighed.
"Don't let Jess ruin the campout," Archie told her. "She's just jealous because I'm here with you. She had to stowaway with one of her friends because none of the guys would invite her."
"I'll try," Betty frowned.
"Enough whispering, Captain," Luke thrust Archie's guitar into his arms, "Get the party started, Red."
Archie chuckled as he took the guitar and began playing a few notes. "Any requests?"
The team began shouting out suggestions. Archie took them all in and selected the one he liked best. Soon all thoughts of Jess and her threats went out the window as the team and their guests engaged in a singalong of epic proportions. It was well after midnight before the fire started to dwindle and people began trickling away to their tents for sleep.
"I heard what you said to Jess and her friend," Samy stayed back to speak with Betty. "Thank you for standing up for us."
"You don't need anyone standing up for you or Julie," Betty told her, "You just need people with closed minds to open them up. I'm sorry you had to hear what they said."
"It wasn't the first or last time," Samy replied, "I probably would have gone after them myself if you hadn't. Is it true that Archie's mom is dating a woman, or was that just to put Jess in her place?"
"It's true," Betty replied, "Mrs. Andrew is in a long-term relationship with a woman. They've been dating since before Archie and I graduated high school. It was obviously a bit of a shock when Archie first found out, but now they're all pretty close. She's in the military and stationed overseas, so she can't be at Archie's college graduation. They're all bummed about it."
"You Riverdale folk are good people," Samy shocked Betty by giving her a hug.
"I can't claim we all are, but there are some good amongst us," Betty smiled.
Archie came up after helping the last few members of his team put out the fire. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah," Betty nodded, "Just saying goodnight to a good friend."
"Good night, Samy," Archie replied as his hand fell to the small of Betty's back as he guided her to their tent.
After changing into their pajamas, Archie and Betty settled into their sleeping bags. They were facing each other with their hands pillowed under their heads when Archie asked, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah," she nodded slightly, "We never really talked about your mom's relationship with Brooke. I mean obviously you're okay with it now, but back then…"
"It was a surprise," Archie chimed in, "I mean both mom and Brooke were married to men, so it was hard to wrap my head around it at first. At the end of the day, my mom is happy. That's all I can ask for."
"So, you're okay with it," Betty concluded.
"I have to be," Archie replied, "She's my mom. She's the only family I have left."
"That's not true," Betty extended a hand to him, "We're not blood, but we're always going to be family."
Archie reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. "Yeah, family…What brings all this up?"
"Samy overhead what Jess was saying to the other girl, and what I said in defense," Betty explained, "I told Jess you were a supporter of the entire LGBTG+ community. Samy asked for details about your mom. To get to Jess, I brought up your mom, who you were very supportive of. Samy thought maybe I was just using that to put Jess in her place. Obviously I wasn't."
"Yeah," Archie bobbed his head, "I'm not going to lie. Would it be easier if Brooke was a Brock? Yeah, it would, but she's who my mom has chosen, which means they both get my unconditional support."
"Bet that means the world to your mom," Betty smiled.
"We'd better get to sleep. These guys aren't quiet in the morning, and they're early risers," Archie suggested.
"Night, Archie," Betty replied.
"Night, Betty," he watched her eyes slide close in the dim light of the tent. He watched her for a few minutes before sleep claimed him.
TBC...