Betty sat in the bleachers while Archie and his teammates held their daily practice. She was becoming a fixture there. Sometimes she'd run into Julie, but other times she'd study for her rapidly approaching finals. If it was possible, she was now over-prepared. Her finals were on Monday and Tuesday of next week, and then graduation was on Friday. Archie's graduation was on Sunday. It was going to be a busy ten days or so.

At Betty's feet was a weekend bag packed for her trip to Cheryl's school to watch her graduate. Betty and Archie had gone back and forth on her attending, mainly because it was close enough to Chicago to be a bit too close to Louis and Archie regrettably wasn't able to attend the ceremony with her due to his school commitments. Betty very nearly declined Cheryl's invitation until Kevin and Fangs informed her that they were going, and they'd be willing to pick her up at Penn State on their way. With both of them willing and able to be her bodyguards, Betty felt safe in going.

Archie was still a bit anxious about Betty leaving, even for a couple of days and even with a couple of capable bodyguards. As he hit the heavy bag, Luke, his training partner for the day, kept griping about how hard he was hitting the sack. "Dang, Andrews, you're about to retire from collegiate boxing. How about you give it a rest?"

Archie took a step back and shook out his arms, "Sorry, just got stuff on my mind."

"A certain blonde that's been pretty much attached to your hip for the past six weeks?" Luke nodded towards where Betty sat, "What's up with you two? Jules says you're not boyfriend/girlfriend, but this bag says otherwise."

"It's complicated," Archie retook his stance.

"Everything with women is complicated," Luke held the bag steady for Archie.

"This is more complicated than the average womanly challenges," Archie struck the bag.

"We always say that," Luke chuckled.

Archie and Luke swapped roles as Luke took his turn hitting the bag.

"Are you going to miss this, Andrews?" Luke asked as he finished his work and was removing the gloves and tape from his hands.

"The team stuff, yeah," Archie replied, "Having to get up at the crack of dawn to run and then spend an hour minimum at the gym every day sweating my ass off, not to mention the nutritional restrictions, heck no."

"I hear ya," Luke held out his closed fist, which Archie promptly bumped. Just then, two men Luke had never seen entered the gym and approached Betty, "Look out, Andrews, competition."

Archie looked to where Luke was pointing and snorted, "Hardly, those are friends of ours, Kevin and Fangs. They came from Pittsburgh to pick up Betty. She's going to another friend's graduation in Albion College in Michigan."

"And you're not worried?" Luke watched as Kevin surveyed the gym and said something to Betty as he approached.

"No," Archie chuckled, "Kevin and Fangs have been together since high school."

"Like together-together," Luke realized.

"They go through these on-again, off-again phases, but they're currently on…I think," Archie watched as Betty rose to her feet and hugged each of them.

Luke nodded in understanding.

Betty was already bored from the workout when she pulled out a book. She'd finally found something to focus on when she saw a pair of loafers approach, and then the familiar voice stated, "Dang, it's like Gay Disneyland in here. Where does the line form for the rides?"

Betty rolled her eyes as she rose to her feet and hugged both Kevin and Fangs. "You guys made good time. I wasn't sure you'd make it before practice was over."

"You said to come pick you up at the gym if we got into town before six," Kevin reminded her.

"When Kevin heard gym, he instantly associated it with smoking hot guys, all sweaty with rippling abs on display," Fangs chimed in.

"I'm not far off," Kevin motioned towards the buffet of men scattered around the gym working on various pieces of equipment.

"None of them are showing their abs," Fangs told him.

"Not yet," Kevin amended, "Where's the thermostat? Let's crank up the heat and watch the clothes fly."

"Are you always this inappropriate?" Betty shook her head in amusement.

"Carnegie Mellon has really brought him out of his shell," Fangs snorted.

"What shell?" Betty shook her head. "If you want to eat before we get on the road, there's a pretty good bar a few blocks away. They have great karaoke, but we'll miss that."

"Yeah, sure, sounds good," Fangs replied.

"Is the Red Menace going to join us?" Kevin asked.

Betty glanced at her watch, "He's got about ten minutes left of practice. Are you willing to wait?"

"Hell yeah," Kevin plopped himself down next to Betty and kicked back to enjoy the show. "Seriously, Betts, how is there not a puddle of drool on the floor at your feet? These guys are gorgeous."

"Oh, Kev, I've missed you," Betty put an arm around Kevin's shoulders.

"What about me?" Fangs asked.

"You're not my comic relief," Betty shook her head, "He is."

"Thanks a lot," Kevin frowned.

"Kev, I told you I was in trouble, and you went to the oldest line in history: 'The boy will marry you'," Betty smiled.

"It's a reflex," Kevin smiled.

"How's school?" Betty asked.

"All I have left is my senior showcase, and then I'm off to Cali for some fun in the sun," Kevin announced proudly.

"That sounds great," Betty replied, "Are you going with him, Fangs?"

"No," Fangs shook his head, "I'm heading back to Riverdale."

"Should I be asking if everything is okay?" Betty frowned.

"Everything is fine," Fangs assured her, "We're going to try things long distance for the time being. Kev's got to give himself a shot at fame and fortune. I can't stand in his way."

"That's great of you, Fangs," Betty gave him a big smile, "I bet Toni is going to love having her bestie close."

"I can't wait to see her," Fangs smiled.

"Hey, Betty," a new voice added into the conversation.

Betty looked up and smiled, "Julie, hey. Perfect timing. I want you to meet one of my oldest friends and his significant other, who is also a friend."

"You must be Kevin and Fangs," Julie greeted them, "Betty's told me a lot about you both."

"None of it's true," Kevin grinned, holding out a hand, "Kevin Keller, at your service."

"Betty says you both fly the rainbow flag as proudly as I do," Julie sat down next to Fangs.

"We do indeed," Kevin smiled.

"Some a bit more proudly than others," Fangs chimed in. It was no secret that his parents hadn't been as accepting of his orientation as Kevin's dad. They were better now, but in the beginning, he was confident they were going to kick him out of the house.

"You've been waving it much more proudly at Pitt," Kevin reminded him.

"It's easier there," Fangs replied.

"I know how that goes," Julie replied, "It was rocky for my parents and me at first."

"Luke was okay with it, right?" Betty asked.

"Oh, yeah," Julie glanced towards her brother with a smile, "Just smiled and said not to go after anybody he was interested in."

"Luke is Archie's sparring partner for the day," Betty motioned down to the floor.

"Does he fly the rainbow flag as well?" Kevin asked.

"Oh, god, Kevin, turn down the dial for a few minutes," Betty pinched the bridge of her nose, "He's straight."

"It's okay, Betts," Julie assured her, "Everyone asks, especially since we shared the same body for nine months."

"Luke and Julie are twins," Betty elaborated.

"Oh, you should meet Cheryl," Kevin suggested, "She was a twin, but her brother died several years back."

"I'm already trying to get Julie and her girlfriend to visit Riverdale in the near future," Betty stated.

"How's that going?" Fangs asked.

"She's very persuasive," Julie nodded, "Fangs, was it?"

"Fangs Fogarty," he nodded.

"You'd love it," Kevin chimed in, "Riverdale has its quirks and charms."

"Without Kevin, it's just charms," Fangs teased.

"Oh? You won't be there?" Julie asked.

"TBD," Kevin replied, "I'm heading to California after graduation. I figured I'd give the LA lifestyle a try for the summer to see if anything comes of it."

"Send me a picture postcard, will you?" Julie teased.

"As long as you won't be insulted if it's not signed with love, forevermore," Kevin picked up the lyrics.

"You also have to promise to hang it on your refrigerator door," Betty teased.

"Don't encourage him," Fangs rolled his eyes.

"My mom used to play that song over and over again," Julie grinned.

"Sounds like you've got a pretty cool mom," Kevin replied.

"She has her moments," Julie said.

"Hey, guys," Archie greeted them as he approached.

"There's the Red Menace," Kevin rose to greet his good friend.

"It's Hurricane," Julie corrected him.

"Huh?" Kevin glanced towards Julie.

"Arch's boxing nickname, Red Hurricane," Julie stated.

"Well, before he was the Red Hurricane, he was my Red Menace," Kevin patted Archie's back, "How is the national champ doing these days? Has your ego inflated yet?"

"Hardly," Julie chimed in, "He's entirely too humble for his own good."

"That pesky Andrews blood that flows through him," Kevin replied, "Modest to a fault."

"It's good to see you, too, Kev," Archie smiled, "How's it going, Fangs?"

"Can't complain," Fang greeted him with a slight man hug.

"Thanks for taking Betty with you and seeing that she'll be safe," Archie told Fangs and Kevin, "I wish I could have gone myself, but school commitments aren't allowing it."

"And he's too stubborn to ask his coach for an exemption," Julie chimed in.

"I wouldn't let him," Betty corrected.

"We're happy to do it," Fangs assured him.

"We're going to grab some dinner before we leave. Can you come with or is this just a break?" Betty asked.

"I'm in," Archie assured her, "Give me five minutes to shower."

"We'll be here," Betty said, "Julie, you want to join us?"

"Nah, I've got plans with Samy," Julie replied, "Have fun, though."

"Okay, I'll see you when I get back," Betty hugged the other girl.

"Definitely," Julie bobbed her head as she left.

"She seems nice," Fangs noted.

"Yeah, she definitely is," Betty agreed, "She's a lot of fun."

"I'll be back," Archie patted Kevin's shoulder as he rushed to the locker room to shower.

"Does Julie know why you're here and who you're dodging?" Kevin asked.

"No," Betty shook her head, "Arch and I are sort of keeping all that stuff private."

"Got it," Kevin made a showing of zipping his lips, "Secret is safe with me."

"They always are," Betty smiled and gave Kevin an impulsive hug.

"What was that for?" he was taken a bit by surprise.

"Because I love you," Betty grinned.

"Love you too, Cooper," he smiled.

After dinner, Archie reluctantly hugged Betty and made Kevin and Fangs promise to keep an eye on her at all times.

"Kev forgot the Lo-Jack," Betty rolled her eyes, "Sorry."

"You're hysterical," Archie glared at her.

"I'm going to be fine," she assured him, "I promise to call often, remember?"

"I know," he hugged her again, "I'd just hate myself if anything happened to you with me not there to protect you."

"Trust us, Louis will have to get through the both of us plus Cheryl's bow and arrows," Kevin reassured Archie.

"I know," Archie chuckled.

"So don't worry," Betty smiled, "Concentrate on studying for your finals. You worked way too hard to blow it now."

"I'll do my best," he assured her.

"I gave Jules the flash cards I made to help you," Betty told him, "She's promised to help you study."

"You know I did make it through three and a half years without your help," Archie reminded her.

"Yes, and I'm very proud of you."

"Come on, Cooper, we're burning daylight," Kevin coaxed her towards the vehicle.

Betty nodded and gave Archie one last hug, "I'll be fine. Don't worry."

"Harder to do than say," he whispered as he closed the door after she climbed in. He watched as Kevin drove away until he was nothing more than a dot along the horizon before climbing into his truck and heading back to campus.

Archie sat across the table from Julie as she held up one of the flash cards Betty had created to help him study. It was Saturday night, and they were in the student center where dozens of other students were studying and chatting. Julie could tell Archie wasn't focused. He checked his phone every five minutes, hoping for a message from Betty.

Betty had sent him at least a dozen messages since she left with tidbits about her trip, even pictures of their night out celebrating with Cheryl, Toni, Kevin, and Fangs when they arrived on campus the previous evening.

"Okay, that's it," Julie reached over and snatched his phone out of his hands, "We're supposed to be studying. Do you remember anything we've talked about in the last hour?"

"Yeah," Archie tried to snatch the phone back.

"What gives, Red?" Julie asked, "I've never seen you check your phone this much in the four years I've known you."

"Just waiting to hear from Betty," Archie reached for the phone a second time.

"Which brings me to another question," Julie put down the flash cards as Archie successfully snatched the phone back from her, "What is with the two of you? Betty says you're just old friends, but I didn't believe her when she said it. I sure as heck won't believe you if you say it. So, I ask again, what is with you two?"

"I really don't want to have this conversation with you," Archie shook his head.

"Too bad," Julie smiled, "Talk."

"Betty and I have always been best friends," Archie said.

"That's all?"

"Since we were kids. We were in second grade, and I was dangerously close to being held back. Betty did everything it took to make sure I caught up because she says it would have broken her heart to leave me behind," Archie admitted, "After I passed, I was so happy that I proposed to her, down on one knee with a cheap, plastic ring and everything. I was quite the suave kid."

"Sounds like it," Julie chuckled.

"She said, 'Oh Archie, we're too young. Ask me again when we're eighteen and in high school, and I'll say yes.' As a seven year old, that was a crushing blow," he admitted, "We stayed friends, so that was enough. Then life got complicated, and we sort of stepped back from being best friends. Don't get me wrong, we were still really close, but we weren't as close as when we were younger."

"Let me guess. You discovered girls, and she discovered boys," Julie smirked.

"Yeah, something like that," Archie bobbed his head. "I was an idiot. I wasn't ready to be with Betty in high school, and I really screwed things up with us."

"You're in love with her," Julie concluded.

"I think I always have been," Archie admitted, "We went our separate ways for four years, but I don't know that there was a day that went by that I didn't think about her. I even have a picture of the two of us next to my bed in my dorm."

"Arch, you know I love you as a friend, right?"

"I love you, too," Archie nodded.

"Then you know I say this with love, you're an idiot," Julie said.

"Thank you," Archie nodded.

"I know you had a pretty steady girl in high school so it wasn't commitment you were afraid of. What was it?"

"I guess part of me never thought I was worthy of Betty Cooper," Archie admitted, "I made some pretty big mistakes in high school."

"Did Betty ever tell you that you weren't good enough for her?" Julie asked.

"Not in so many words, but she dated my best friend all through high school. She even rejected my attempts to be with her just before we graduated high school," Archie admitted, "I was ready then. I basically handed her my heart, and she just couldn't. We went our separate ways after that."

"You've never really dated much in the four years I've known you," Julie stated, "Even Thea, you would date here, but I could tell you were never real in to it."

"Thea reminded me too much the girl I was with most of high school and another short lived relationship right before that," Archie said.

"And the girl you were with in high school was friends with Betty?"

"Yeah," Archie bobbed his head, "They were pretty tight."

"Are they still close?" Julie asked.

"No," Archie shook his head. "Things went a little wrong at the end of senior year."

"How wrong?"

"I kissed Betty," Archie admitted.

Julie got a strange look on her face before she looked at Archie, "The song you sang the night you were discovered, that was for Betty."

"Yeah," Archie admitted, "I wrote it for her. I never got a chance to sing it for her. She stopped me before I could."

"But you sang it at the bar just off campus," Julie realized.

"It's been in my head and heart for four years," he bobbed his head.

"Damn, Andrews, you're a romantic. I never would have put that together," Julie smiled, "I kinda like this side of you."

Archie looked down at the table, smiling, "Thanks."

"Now what happens?"

"Nothing," Archie shrugged, "She's going through a lot right now. I'm not going to be something that complicates her life."

"Bad excuse," Julie said.

"But a legit one," Archie replied, "Look, I don't even know if she'll end up anywhere close to Riverdale. She's done a couple of interviews, but there is no guarantee."

"Another bad excuse," Julie scowled at him, "Man up, Andrews. If you want Betty, there is no excuse good enough to keep you apart."

"I tried this once," Archie said, "She turned me down."

"Right," Julie said, "She turned you down because she was with your best friend and you were with hers."

"It's just bad timing," he shook his head.

"Pathetic," Julie scoffed, "If I was in your place and it was Samy, there is nothing I wouldn't do to keep her in my life. Even if she shoots you down, at least then you'll know where you stand."

"I know where I stand," Archie replied, "She's my best friend. I will do nothing to jeopardize that...ever."

"You did already," Julie said.

"Excuse me?"

"You went out with her best friend after you shot her down," Julie said.

"Yeah, maybe that's what I was going for at the time," he admitted, "I was trying to make myself undesirable to Betty."

"You still don't think you deserve her," Julie realized, "Good grief, Archie, you're about the most honorable man I've ever met."

"You never knew my dad," Archie said.

"I don't know why she came here, but I know it had to be bad enough that she wanted a lot of space. Point is, she could've gone anywhere. She came to you."

"Yeah," he sighed.

"Archie, whatever you're feeling about whether you deserve her or not, that was never your decision to make. That's up to her. If you ever get another chance, you'd better let her be the one to decide. Taking the decision out her hand is basically telling her what to do, and speaking for all women, we hate that," Julie stated.

"Thanks, Jules," Archie said.

"You're welcome," she smiled.

"Do you think I can talk you into visiting Riverdale?" Archie asked.

"Yeah, I think Samy and I would both like to visit," Julie nodded, "We'll have to wait until Samy can get some time off, so it will probably be a few months."

"Whenever works," Archie smiled, "Riverdale isn't going anywhere."

"Glad to hear it," Julie said, "Besides, I want to meet Betty's cousin. She sounds like a hoot."

"Cheryl, oh yeah, she's great," Archie chuckled, "At least she is now. It was rough for her before she came out."

"Betty said before she did, she made a play for you," Julie smiled, "Must be in the genes."

"Red hair," Archie chuckled, "Her family has always married red. I'm sure she felt pressure to continue that tradition. I'm the only one in Riverdale who fit the bill."

"Betty showed me pictures of her sister, Polly. She said that Cheryl's twin brother, Jason, and her dated and had kids together. She doesn't have red hair," Julie noted.

"Yeah? It was pretty complicated," Archie raise a brow, "Jason wasn't going to let his family dictate his life. When Polly got pregnant, they decided to leave Riverdale, but his father got to him before he could."

"Yeah, Betty told me," Julie nodded, "Real prize, that one. He did the world a favor."

"Clifford Blossom was a first rate jerk. He was never going to be father of the year, but I felt bad that Cheryl had to endure all she did because of him," Archie replied, "She lost her father and her brother in less than a year. It's a lot to take."

"Betty told me you saved Cheryl's life," Julie said.

"And busted my hand pretty good," he flexed his once injured hand.

"It definitely healed up well," Julie replied, "I've been around boxing for most of my life. You're the best I've ever seen."

"Thanks," Archie's face flushed in embarrassment.

"You really hate having anyone praise you," Julie realized.

"I just never got used to it," Archie said.

"Who was she?"

"What?"

"The girl who praised you that you regret having a relationship with," Julie said.

"She's someone I had no business being with," Archie shook his head, "It was stupid and not worth what I lost."

"Is this the long term girlfriend?" Julie asked.

"No, this was before Ronnie," Archie admitted.

"And I'm guessing she's the reason you turned Betty down," Julie said. "She had you twisted up good, huh?"

"Yeah," Archie bobbed his head, "It was by far the worst mistake I've ever made, and I've made some really bad ones."

"So, stop," Julie said, "Tell that boy in the back of your head that you're going for it and he needs to shut the heck up."

"I wish it was that easy," Archie replied, "I'm pretty much figuring out adulthood on my own. It's scary as hell."

"What would your dad be saying to you right now?"

"Julie," Archie shook his head.

"Close your eyes," Julie said, "Form a mental picture. Picture what he'd say to you."

Archie did as she instructed, "He'd tell me to do right by Betty."

"And what about a relationship?"

"He'd tell me to do what makes me happy," Archie replied.

"And that's Betty," Julie stated, "You were never as happy as you are now with Betty staying here with you. I'm not the only one who has seen it. My clueless brother has even noticed."

"Jules," Archie's eyes opened and shook his head.

"You are not backing out on me," Julie shook her own head.

"What if she's not ready?"

"She'll tell you."

Archie bobbed his head as Julie held up a flash card.

"Do you even need these?" Julie shook the card to get his attention, "Even with your mind on Betty, you've answered every one of these questions correctly."

"That's just Betty's way of helping," Archie chuckled, "She worries about me."

"She loves you," Julie smiled, "By the way, has she texted?"

Archie checked his phone again. "No," he frowned.

"She's probably having fun with her friends," Julie replied.

"I hope so," Archie said.

"You're worried about her, huh?"

"Yeah," Archie replied, "I won't betray her confidence, but the reason she left Northwestern gives me legit reason to be worried."

"It's bad, isn't it?" Julie frowned.

"Yeah, it's really bad," Archie bobbed his head.

"You need a change of pace," Julie decided. "C'mon, we're going to have dinner."

"We are?" Archie closed his books and stuffed them into his bag.

"Heck yeah," Julie grabbed her phone and was firing off a text, "And I'm sending out an alert to the team. We're going to get your mind off of missing Betty."

"No groupies," Archie warned.

"Deal," Julie said.

"Thanks for listening, Jules," Archie smiled.

"I live to listen to other people's problems."

"So, what's going on with you and Archie?" Cheryl asked Betty after they'd gotten back to Cheryl and Toni's apartment after their celebration at a nearby restaurant. Everyone was a bit tipsy, but only Kevin and Fangs were downright drunk. It had made for a hysterical night, but Betty suspected they'd have monster hangovers in the morning. She'd likely be tasked with driving back to Pennsylvania.

"We're just friends," Betty tried to shoot her down.

"Nuh-uh," Toni shook her head as she settled in next to her longtime love, "Not buying it."

"What is there to buy?" Betty asked, "I needed a place to go where I'd be safe from Louis. I went to Archie because I knew Louis would never look for me there."

"He doesn't know my last name so he wouldn't think to look for you with me and TiTi either," Cheryl said.

"But he knows approximately where you go to school," Betty replied, "I needed someplace completely off the grid. I never mentioned Archie."

"And why is that?" Cheryl looked more than a little intrigued, "He was such a big part of your life for so long, and you never once mentioned him to the guy you dated almost three years."

"He just never came up," Betty said.

"Because you didn't want to give the gilipollas another excuse to smack you around," Toni frowned, "Any time you want a little bit of payback for that, let me know. Fangs and I can get one of the Serpents to beat the hell out of him."

"I appreciate the offer," Betty chuckled.

"Hey, are you three falling asleep on us?" Kevin made his presence known. He was practically tripping over his own feet as he stood in the doorway.

"Yes," Betty nodded as she rose to her feet. "I'm tired."

"It has been a long couple of days," Kevin managed to slur out a half way coherent sentence.

Betty grabbed her phone, sent Archie a quick text to check in and then decided to call it a night, "See you in the morning."

"I'm too tired to move," Toni said. "Grab me a pillow and blanket. I'm gonna crash out here."

"Yeah, me too," Cheryl grabbed pillows for her and Toni.

"In that case, the guys can have the guest room, and I'll take your room." Betty smiled. "We're leaving early. We'll try not to wake you."

"You'd better wake us," Cheryl replied, "We're taking you to breakfast before you head out."

"Thanks, Cherry," Betty smiled. "Hey. Congratulations again."

"Thanks, B," Toni smiled as she helped Cheryl build their nest for the evening.

"Night guys," Betty waved to Fangs and Kevin before she shut the door behind her.

Betty sighed heavily as she laid in bed. It had been a good day. She got to watch Cheryl and Toni receive their degrees, even though Toni officially graduated a semester earlier. During the celebration, the long time couple announced they were engaged. That really kicked the celebration into high gear, but all throughout the festivities, Betty felt like something was missing. Flipped through a few of the recent pictures of her and Archie during the team's campout told her exactly what was missing. She glanced at the clock and then decided to dial anyways.

"Betty," Archie answered the phone on the second ring, his voice sounded a bit frantic. "It's the middle of the night. Is everything okay?"

"Deep breath, Arch," Betty smiled, "I'm fine. I'm currently lying in Cheryl and Toni's bed while they sack out the couch. I just wanted to say goodnight and hear it back."

"You sure do know how to get the old ticker pumping," he settled back against the pillow, "How are the grads? Happy it's over?"

"Oh, yeah," Betty replied, "I think we all will be when we get to walk across the stage and get our degrees. How'd studying go? Did you get together with Julie? Did she use the flash cards I gave her?"

"Studying went well. Julie didn't give me an option of not studying together. Yes, she used the flash cards, but they're not needed. I've got everything covered," Archie answered each of her questions with a chuckle.

"Glad to hear it," Betty smiled, "I'm glad I get to watch you graduate and that you get to watch me. You do right? You don't have any prior commitments?"

"Day is free and clear," he assured her, "Finals finish on Wednesday, so we can head out to Northwestern Thursday morning. You graduate on Friday. We pack anything left in your dorm room, and send your car home with Polly. You'll be dependent on me for a ride back to Penn State, so you'd better be on your best behavior."

"I should be telling you the same thing," Betty laughed, "I'm not above hitchhiking my way home."

"Have you heard anything from your interviews yet?"

"No, nothing," Betty sighed heavily, "They certainly are taking their sweet time. I've heard from my advisor with the paper a few of them are checking references. I think that's a good sign."

"Yeah, it is," Archie agreed, "I hope you get one you want."

"I hope I get one as far away from Louis's post grad job as possible," Betty frowned.

"Any sign of him?"

"So far, so good," Betty smiled.

"Glad to hear it," he sighed in relief, "Are you, Kevin, and Fangs heading out first thing in the morning?"

"Actually, Cheryl wants to take us to breakfast first," Betty replied, "We'll leave from there."

"Okay, cool," Archie replied, "Not going to lie, it's been hard knowing you're so far away."

"I miss you too, Arch," she found herself smiling.

Archie smiled on his end, "How tired are you?"

"Why?"

"I don't want to hang up yet," he admitted.

"What? Do you want some phone sex? Because I'm not that kind of girl," Betty teased.

Archie barked out a laugh. "Nothing like that," he assured her, "I just kind of miss having you in close proximity."

"Yeah, it's been weird for me too," Betty admitted, "I've kind of gotten used to having you so close. I can't sleep anymore without your snoring from across the room."

"I don't snore," he chuckled.

"I know, it's just heavy breathing," Betty smiled, "Today was nice, but it was also kind of weird."

"How so?"

"People were missing," she said, "It threw things off balance."

"Yeah?" Archie asked.

"Yeah, it should have been all of us, you, me, Cheryl, Kevin, Fangs, Toni..." Betty trailed off.

"Jug and Veronica?" Archie asked.

"Yeah, is that wrong?" Betty admitted.

"It's okay, Betty," he assured her, "They were a part of our lives for a long time. I mean, Jughead has been with us almost from the beginning."

"Yeah, but he was, but you were still my bestest friend," Betty replied.

"I miss it too, sometimes," Archie admitted, "Right after I got to school, there were times I'd look out my window and-"

"Expect to see my house?" Betty guessed.

"Yeah, definitely," he replied.

"Maybe I'll have to sneak back into my old room when you get home and wave at you from my old bedroom window. It's JB's room now, but I'm sure she'd be okay with me recreating history," Betty replied.

Archie smiled at that and had a flash of the first time he'd seen Betty waving at him from her window, "I don't bring her up with Jug, it's still kind of weird between us, and JB is sort of a touchy subject for him. I get the feeling he blames himself for her foray into the snuff world."

"Gosh, it's hard to believe she's the same person who did that," Betty replied, "She's completely turned herself around. Being back in Riverdale has been really good for her."

"That's good," Archie nodded, "She and FP showed up at the beginning of sophomore year. She apologized to me."

"Really? She never told me that," Betty replied.

"Yeah, they came to see one of my matches and hung around after to buy me dinner," Archie explained. "She said it was something like a 10 step program."

"Sounds like JB," Betty laughed.

"I talk to FP once in a while," he said, "Sounds like the wedding was fun."

"It was just us," Betty said, "Mom didn't want to borrow trouble so anyone not related to the bride or groom wasn't invited and that was tense enough."

"I bet," he chuckled, "Glad they were able to get back to each other."

"Yeah, me too," Betty replied, "Mom deserves happiness after all the misery with my dad. She still drives me crazy, but she's a lot easier to tolerate than she used to be."

"I'm glad."

"Mary seems to be happy with her life," Betty said, "Any vow exchanging happen that she didn't mention?"

"Nothing that she's told me about," Archie replied, "I think she's over the whole marriage thing. She's really happy though in the relationship she's in. She's happy. I'm happy."

"Yeah," Betty sighed as her eyes drifted closed, "It's too quiet here."

"How about I keep talking until you fall asleep?" he offered, "Then I'll disconnect."

"It feels silly to accept, but okay," Betty found a comfortable position and then listened as Archie's soothing voice lulled her to sleep.

Once Archie was sure Betty was sound asleep he whispered, "Good night, Betty."

The only response he got was soft breathing. He smiled as he disconnected and set his phone aside.

TBC...