"Look who's home," Archie looked more than a little relieved when Betty entered his dorm room Sunday afternoon. "How was Cheryl's graduation?"
"So much fun," Betty smiled as she tossed her bag on the futon, "Fangs and Kev were the perfect bodyguards."
"Good," Archie smiled, "You look really happy with a mix of insanely tired."
"I am both, without question," Betty nodded as she plopped down on his bed, "Cheryl was so happy. She has a lot to look forward to. She and Toni are officially engaged."
"That's awesome," Archie grabbed his gym bag and rummage through it to make sure he had what he needed for practice, "I'm happy they made it."
"Are you heading to practice?" Betty asked, "Go, we can talk more later."
Archie quickly zipped up his bag, "Why don't you come workout with me?"
"To the gym, seriously?" Betty asked. "I just got home. Is me working out with you even allowed?"
"All my scholarship says is that I have to work out a minimum amount of hours a week. It doesn't say I can't workout with someone not on the team," Archie stated. "Besides, what are they going to do, pull my scholarship? I graduate in a week."
"I don't know, Arch," Betty shook her head, "I'm really tired."
"We'll only stay an hour," Archie promised.
Betty bobbed her head after a moment, "Okay, let me change, but you're buying me dinner afterwards."
"Deal," Archie nodded as Betty grabbed some workout clothes and slipped into the bathroom to change.
"Is it bring your sister to the gym day, Andrews?" his coach, Hector Hernandez, greeted him with a handshake.
"I'm an only child, Hector," Archie reminded him, "This is my friend, Betty. We're going to workout together if that's okay with you."
"Do whatever you want, Andrews," Hector told him, "Seniors get a lot of latitude the last few weeks. It's not like I can get you to run sprints anymore until you throw up."
"He must be friends with Coach Clayton," Betty giggled as Archie's coach wandered off.
Archie chuckled, "I can't believe you remember that."
"I had to carry you home freshman year," Betty reminded him.
"Where do you want to start?" Archie glanced around the gym, "Speed bag, heavy bag, jump rope..."
"How about we start with the basics," she giggled, "I barely even stepped foot in your gym in Riverdale. This is all a bit overwhelming."
"Alright," Archie bobbed his head, "Let's start with taping your hands and finding you properly fitting gloves."
"You're the national champ," she smiled, "I'll follow your lead."
Archie walked her around the gym, explaining what his teammates were doing and how it helped with their boxing. He was quite patient and answered her plethora of questions.
"Alright, enough stalling," Archie walked her to a heavy bag, standing behind it to keep it steady, "Have at it."
Betty threw a lame punch, barely tapping the bag.
"It's not going to hit back," Archie grinned.
"I know," Betty scowled at him.
"How about you watch me for a few minutes?" he took the proper stance and punched out a few rounds.
After he finished, he guided her back to the bag, standing behind her, correcting her stance.
"This feels weird," Betty took a few reps.
"You're dropping your shoulder," he corrected her again, "Try to snap your arm a bit more. Don't worry about impact, just focus on making contact."
Betty smirked as she followed his instructions. She'd never told Archie about the few lessons she'd taken her freshman year of college. Most of what she'd learned was still in her memory bank somewhere, but she wasn't going to stop his teachings. She was enjoying this far too much.
After a few halfway decent reps, Archie went behind the bag again to steady it, "Now, beat the crap out of it. Let out all the anger and fear you've been feeling. Punch it right into the bag."
Betty threw a hard punch at the bag, again and again.
Archie baited her a bit, trying to draw more of the anger out of her. He knew she had a lot of rage built up, and he knew it wasn't good for her to keep it bottled up. He'd had similar feelings after his father died. If he didn't have boxing as an outlet, he probably would have ended up in jail.
Betty was just getting into it when she heard her phone ring. It took her a moment to realize it was her ringtone. She'd gotten so used to not carrying it, but he'd turned it over before she left for Cheryl's graduation party. She hadn't yet returned it to Archie after her trip.
"Hang on," Betty took her phone from her pocket and pressed accept, "Hello?"
"Ms. Cooper, this is Cicely Fletcher," the woman on the other end responded, "We spoke several weeks back about the entry level journalist position at the Greendale Gazette."
"Oh, yes, of course, Ms. Fletcher," Betty's voice waffled nervously, "I've been hoping to hear from you."
"How are things going at Northwestern?" Cicely inquired.
"Really well," Betty replied, "I'm studying up for finals, and graduation is at the end of the week."
"That's excellent to hear," Cicely replied, "I've been following up with your references, and your advisor with your school newspaper. Everyone speaks quite highly of you."
"Uh, thank you," Betty didn't really know how to respond.
"Miss Cooper, I'm calling to offer you the entirely level reporter job."
"Really," Betty immediately began jumping up and down in celebration, "That's amazing, Ms. Fletcher."
"Is that an acceptance of my offer?" Cicely laughed.
"Yes, absolutely," Betty responded. The position in Greendale had been number one on the list of positions she'd interviewed for.
"The offer is conditional on you finished up your degree," Cicely replied, "I have a feeling that won't be an issue."
"No, I think we'll be okay," Betty laughed, "When do I start?"
"How about the middle of June?" Cicely asked, "That gives you time to get your affairs in order. If you need a list of available housing in the area, let me know."
"No, I can work that out myself," Betty said. "Thank you. Thank you so much!"
"You're very welcome," Cicely replied, "I'll email you the paperwork. We'll see you in June."
"Yes, absolutely, Ms. Fletcher. Thank you so much for calling," Betty disconnected the call before she squealed with excitement.
"Ms. Fletcher is who?" Archie asked.
"My new boss," Betty bounced on the balls of her feet, "I got the job in Greendale."
"Greendale, really?" Archie sputtered in surprise, "Betty, that's fantastic."
Betty launched herself into his arms, "I'm so excited. I had a bunch of interviews a few weeks before I landed on your doorstep. Actually, the interviews I took is one of the things that you know who got super pissed about. He wanted me interviewing with the New York Times or Post. He was furious when he found out I never applied."
"Who cares about him," Archie swayed with her in his arms, trying to ignore how right it felt to have her there. "This is your big day. We need to celebrate."
"Yes, absolutely," Betty agreed, "I wish we could go to Pop's, but let's find a diner that can substitute for it."
"I've got just the place," he smiled. "I've got to be here for another thirty minutes. Did you want to continue with your training?"
"How about you take over, and I'll just watch," she suggested as she took a step out of his embrace, "You're much better at it than I am, and I've got a few texts to send out."
"I've had a bit more practice," Archie smiled, "Take a seat in the stands. I'll come get you when I'm done."
"Deal," Betty wandered off.
Archie let a smile spread across his face as he hit the bag. She'd be close to him after they left the university. She might not be in the same room anymore but for the time being she'd be only one town over.
It was enough for now.
"What do you think?" Archie asked when they walked into the diner on the outskirts of town. It had the same old school counters and stools. The booths had a Pop's kind of feel to them, and there was a jukebox in the corner that seemed to be playing the same time of music.
"It's no Pop's, but it's pretty darn close," Betty took in the surroundings, "Have you been here before?"
"Once or twice," he shrugged as he guided her towards an open booth, "I took a couple of dates here. They didn't really understand the charms of it."
Betty laughed and slid into the booth, "How are the milkshakes?"
"Almost as good as Pop's," Archie grinned.
"Sold," Betty replied before she decided on broaching a topic she wasn't sure how he'd react to, "I was flipping through the local newspaper online while I was waiting for you to finish up. Did you by any chance read it?"
"Yeah, I saw the announcement," Archie nodded in reference of Veronica's engagement announcement, "I'm fine. I'm happy for her."
"Really? There's no lingering feelings?" Betty asked.
"No," Archie shook his head, "I mean, we were serious for a couple of years, but we went our separate ways. We're different people now."
Betty nodded, "I find it interesting that the announcement made it into a Pennsylvania paper."
"It's probably Hiram's way of saying he won."
"Or stay away," Betty replied.
"Either way, I have no desire to enter the orbit of Hiram or Veronica Lodge," Archie replied.
Betty reached out and put her hand over his, "You are such a better man than Hiram Lodge could ever pray to be."
"Doesn't take much," he shrugged as he handed her a menu.
The waitress came over to take their orders.
Wanting to change the tone of the conversation after the waitress walked away, Archie smiled, "So Greendale, that's not all that far from Riverdale. Are you going to stay with your mom until you find a place?"
"Ugh, I haven't really thought this through," Betty realized, "Living with my mom again, that's a recipe for going crazy. You know how she gets sometimes."
"Yeah," he bobbed his head.
"And it's bound to be crowded with FP and JB back in the picture," Betty frowned, "Maybe I'll ask Cheryl if I can stay at the hunting lodge until I find my own place. I'm sure it won't take all that long."
"Why don't you stay with me?" he offered, "I've got the room, and I was planning on getting a roommate anyways."
"Oh, wow, I hadn't even though of that," she replied.
"I can take my old bedroom and you can take my dad's room," Archie said.
"I could take the guest room," Betty said, "If I say yes."
"We can work out the details," he assured her, "We get along really well. I mean, we've shared my cramped dorm room for several weeks already, and there hasn't been any issues."
"True," Betty nodded, "Alright, I'll move in."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," Betty nodded, "One condition."
"I'm listening," Archie said.
"You warn me when you're going to bring a date home for the night."
"Ditto," Archie smiled when the waitress returned with their shakes.
"And I'm paying rent," she added.
"That's two conditions," he pointed out.
"Fine, on two conditions: you warn me about dates you bring home, and I pay rent."
"Fifty bucks a month," he grinned widely and held up his shake to toast her, "To Betty Cooper, soon to be the best reporter the Greendale Gazette has ever had."
Betty turned red as she returned the toast, "Cheers."
Betty laid back in Archie's bed, smiling, as she answered the phone, "Hey, Cher. You got my message?"
"Of course, congratulations, Cousin," Cheryl replied, "Greendale is lucky to have you."
"Thanks," Betty blushed a little.
"Do I need to air out the lodge?"
"No, I have my living arrangements already sorted out," Betty said.
"You'll kill Alice within a week," Cheryl said.
"Then it's a good thing I'm moving in with Archie," Betty said quietly.
"Wait, Archie, seriously?" Cheryl replied, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Yeah, I think so," Betty replied, "It certainly beats staying with my mom."
"I agree there, but you and Archie under the same roof...that's a recipe for the horizontal tango," Cheryl stated, "That's only going to complicate things."
"Actually, we already did, once," Betty admitted, "And don't ask another question about it because I will not talk about it."
"What?" Cheryl shrieked. "You rode the ginger stallion and didn't say anything when you saw me at graduation?"
"You have to stop hanging out with Kevin," Betty shook her head.
"Don't even try it, Cousin," Cheryl said sternly, "Why am I just finding out above this?"
"We agreed not to make a big thing about it," Betty replied, "It wasn't like it was a romantic thing. It was a night of comfort between two friends, nothing more."
"Oh, Betty, sweet, delusional, Betty," Cheryl sighed heavily, "You and Archie are endgame. It's about time you both recognize it."
"Okay, I'm serious," Betty shook her head, "I know Toni and Fangs go way back, but they have to limit the time you and Kev spend together."
"Be serious, Cousin," Cheryl scolded her.
"It was a one-time thing," Betty stated, "It's not going to happen again, even if we are under the same roof."
"I don't know," Cheryl shook her head, "A look here, a touch there, an accidental viewing of skin you're not used to seeing, and you two are in bed before you can say, 'Really, we're just good old friends'."
"I'm calling Toni when we hang up. She needs to burn your romantic novel collection."
"Oh, please, I don't need a romantic novel collection," Cheryl replied, "I have all I need in Toni."
"Archie and I are friends. That's all there's ever been between us," Betty insisted, "It's safer that way."
"I wonder what would've happened if I'd made sure you were the one who went into the coat closet sophomore year," Cheryl said.
"I would've gotten the 'you're so perfect. I'm not good enough for you' speech earlier in the evening."
"Cousin, you've been into him forever. You can try to convince everyone else, perhaps even yourself, but I know you. You're never going to get Archie Andrews out of your system," Cheryl told her.
Betty was about to reply when the door to Archie's dorm room opened. "It's bedtime, Cheryl. Archie just got back from his RA check. We'll talk more later. Thanks for calling."
"Seriously, that's how you're going to play it," Betty could practically hear Cheryl rolling her eyes, "Fine, we'll have this conversation at a later date. Good night, Cousin. Don't try to dream about Archie too much tonight."
"Love you, too, Cheryl," Betty quickly ended the call, hoping like heck that Archie hadn't heard anything Cheryl had said.
"How's she doing?"
"Good," Betty nodded, "She was just calling me back. I left her a message about getting the job. I was right. She offered to let me crash at the hunting lodge."
"Really?"
"Yeah, but I told her I have plans already. She thought that meant I was moving in with Mom again and told me I'd kill her in a week. I corrected her."
"Yeah, your mom would have driven you crazy," Archie parked on his futon to pull off his shoes.
"Anything interesting happening in the dorm?" Betty asked.
"Nope, things seem calm," Archie replied, "I've been pretty lucky. It's a mellow dorm this year. Last year was crazy. I'm glad I was only a floor monitor then. Way less responsibility. The RA was ready to boot half the residents out. I've only had to remove one."
"That's good, although you are pretty good at playing the heavy," Betty smirked.
"Thanks," Archie chuckled.
"I think you being a boxer has kept quite a few of the rowdy ones in line," she stated.
"Perhaps," he smirked.
"You're good at playing White Knight too," Betty smiled.
Archie looked down as he blushed and then chanced a quick glance at the clock. "We'd better turn in. Class for me tomorrow, and finals for you."
"Ugh, don't remind me," she groaned, "I still have to pass my classes to make my position official."
Archie disappeared into the bathroom to change. When he emerged, Betty was already curled up on the futon.
"Night, Betty," he climbed into bed and reached for the light. He was done arguing with her about who got the futon and who got the bed. It was a fight he was never going to win.
"Night, Archie," she smiled as the lights went out.
TBC...