Happy Summer! Summer means I'll probably be updating less. I have a couple chapters ready, but I've been struggling with how things are going to play out other then the basics so we'll see how that goes.

In this chapter, Veronica talks to Betty about someone. I hope you enjoy! As always, let me know what you thought! 3

Chapter 9

Veronica

"So, how long exactly have you and Betty known each other?" I asked Kevin, sitting down on one of the benches underneath a window. Cheryl sat next to me, and Kevin and Archie sat on one across from us.

"Oh boy, long time." Kevin chuckled. "My dad has been a guard here since before I was born. My parents split when I was three, and I lived with my mom for most of the time until I was five. Then she decided she didn't want to be tied down, and sent me off to live with my dad. Since he was never home, I had a nanny most of the time, until the queen decided it would be good for Betty to have other kids her age around. That's where Archie and I come in." Kevin clapped Archie on the shoulder, who smiled sheepishly.

"Is it even allowed for two guys who knew the princess so well beforehand to even enter the Selection, let alone actually come here?" Cheryl asked. The guys both shrugged.

"No one's kicked us out yet." Archie laughed.

"If anything, it gives us a disadvantage." Kevin agreed.

"How so?" I asked.

"Well, we've known Betty for so long, she might just see us as brothers, and nothing more." Kevin commented.

"Wait, really?" Archie asked.

"Archiekins," I stopped as they all looked at me. "What, so he can call me 'Ronnie', and I can't give him a nickname?"

"Do you give everybody nicknames?" Cheryl asked.

I shrugged. "It just comes out naturally. I've never actually really noticed before." They nodded. "Anyway, Archie, you look concerned. Maybe that it will ruin your chances?" I teased him. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Oh my god. Archie Andrews, are you… blushing?" Cheryl joined in, leaning closer to peer at his face, which was growing noticeably more red.

"I mean, we're all here for a reason, right?" He tried to play it off. "You wouldn't come if you didn't think… I don't know." He looked down.

"Most people here is going for her hand in marriage, that's true. Some are just here for the crown though. Hopefully we can weasel those people out." I felt bad for making him uncomfortable. "Otherwise, Archie's right. Why come at all?" Suddenly we all looked up as the door to Betty's room opened and Jughead came out. "All good?" I asked. He didn't respond, and kept moving past us. "Jughead," I stood up and hurried after him, catching up. I stood in front of him, blocking his path to the hallway. "What happened?"

"She thinks I told everyone."

"What? Well, did you tell her you didn't?"

"Thank you for your help, Veronica. But we agreed that it's best if I leave."

"Jughead, I'll talk to her. You have to understand that she's probably been screwed over before. This whole trusting people thing is new, at least that's what she told the girls and I the other night."

"I do understand. But if she thinks it's best if I leave, I can't exactly do anything."

"Not necessarily,"

"Again, thank you, Veronica. But it's for the best if I go home. If you see Toni, could you ask her to meet me in my room? I have something her family sent with me for her."

I sighed in defeat. "Fine. But you should at least say goodbye to the others. And maybe write a letter explaining yourself? Betty deserves to know the truth."

"Alright." I gave him a quick hug.

"Goodbye, Forsythe."

"That's what I've been reduced to?"

I shrugged. "Apparently I give people nicknames. You already have one, so naturally, I have to call you your real name."

"How'd you even know my real name?"

"Cheryl, Toni and I may have stolen Betty's files on all of you so we would know who we thought we should keep an eye on. Gotta look out for our girl."

"Right. So you stole the property of the palace."

"Okay, so 'stole' is a strong word…"

"You said 'stole'."

"Goodbye!" I cried, laughing.

"Goodbye!" He retorted. He started to walk again.
"Jughead! What did you say you would do?" I warned. He sighed, turned and headed back towards the others.

"You can be a real pain in the-"

"So can you!" I called before he could finish his sentence. Then I headed to Betty's room, passing the others as Jughead said his goodbyes, as vaguely as possible, I noticed.

"Knock knock!" I called, entering the room without waiting for a response. I walked into Betty bent over in her chair, head in her hands. "B?" I asked, softer. She looked up. "Hey, can I help with anything?" I walked over and crouched next to her chair.

"Everything is just too much, right now." She sighed.

"I know," I rubbed her shoulder. "I ran into Jughead."

"Veronica,"

"Betty, I know what happened between you two, I know what you think he did, but I just wanted to make sure you knew the truth."

"Seriously, Veronica,"

"Jughead didn't say anything. I'm not sure who the actual source is, but it wasn't Jughead. As soon as he found out, he was the one who insisted on finding you to make sure you knew. He thought it'd be better if you heard it from him."

Betty hesitated. "He did?"

"Yes! He was worried about how it would look for you. Betty, he cares. More than I think either of you even realize."

"Okay, now you're just making things up."

"I'm dead serious."

"Veronica."

"Okay, fine. Not the point. The point is, an innocent man is about to go home. And I think you might have a real chance with him."

"Why don't you date him then?"

"Seriously, B? Not really my type."

"Veronica!"

"I'm sorry!" We were both laughing at this point, and I'd fallen out of my crouching position. "Okay, but like, I'm actually serious about Jughead. It's completely up to you, but personally, I'd give him a second chance." I looked her in the eyes.

"Thank you, Veronica."

"Oh, come on. V."

"Okay, V." Betty said exaggeratedly.

"Now go get him!"
"Out of all the guys here, you really seem to be pushing for Jughead. Why not, like, Archie or Percival Pickens or Fester Belmont?"

"Oh! Yeah, you weren't there." I panicked slightly.

"What now?" Betty sighed.

"Um, Fester was caught lurking outside the door during a council meeting by us when we went looking for you. Fester is from Thornhill and Cheryl went full…"

"Cheryl." Betty finished.

"Yeah, that's basically how to describe it. Anyway, the queen came out along with a bunch of council members, and he's been kicked out. Officially, I think."

"Oh god." Betty sighed.

"Was he in the top favourites?"

"Not really. I hadn't really spent any time with him. If he's gone, at least it's narrowed it down slightly."

"Thatta girl. Now let's go get your man!"

"V,"

"Fine! I'll stop! I swear."

We both left the room at the same time, and Betty headed off one way, nodding to the others as she passed them. When I came out, Cheryl pounced on me.

"What the hell happened? We only got part of the story from Jughead."

"I got Betty to agree to let him tell his side. Let's hope it works out. As little as I know him, I think he stands a real chance."

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that." Kevin said, coming up to us. Archie followed.

"Oh, Kevin." I laughed.

"It's fine. You just owe me now."

"And what might that entail?" I asked.

"Movie night? All of you?"

"I'm free now." Cheryl shrugged.

"Should we invite Betty? She might need an escape." Archie asked.

"I don't think that she needs to be caught with even more of the Selected right now." I offered. The others nodded after a moment, thinking it over.

"Yeah. That makes sense." Kevin agreed.

"So, what are we thinking? 10 Things I Hate About You? How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days? Or, oh! The Proposal!" I cried.

"I'm not watching a romcom." Archie put his foot down.

"Why not? I'm in." Kevin moved in between me and Cheryl, putting his arms around us. I laughed.
"Come on, Archiekins…" I teased him.

"Am I even allowed to hang out with a fellow Selected?" Archie tried.

"Yep."

"With you two?"

"There's no rules saying we can't." I shrugged.

"I don't think that they accounted for two gorgeous plus-ones to the princess, though." Cheryl flipped her hair over one shoulder. "Archie, she's not going to take no for an answer, so just stuff it, and come. Oh! We should recommend to Betty that she hold a movie night as a chance to get to know the Selected better. During the movie she can move around and talk to each of them individually." Cheryl suggested.

"That's actually a good idea." Archie nodded.

"So you're coming with us?" I asked hopefully.

"Fine!" He cried, faking exasperation.

"Yay! The Proposal?" I asked again, hopefully.

"Fine!" Archie cried again. "I've never heard of it." Kevin, Cheryl and I all turned with shocked looks.

"What?!"

"What?"

"Oh my god. Get the popcorn ready." I started down the hallway, running into Toni as I turned the corner, sending the towels she was carrying, flying. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry." I quickly stooped to help her pick them up.

"Thank you." Toni smiled at me, when we finally had all the towels stacked up in her hands. At least, I think she smiled. The towels almost went over her head.

"Here, let me help." I grabbed a couple off the top.

"Oh no, I've got it. Plus, you're a guest."

"Exactly. I'm a guest that's lucky enough to have had the princess stick up for me to keep me here. I want to help." Finally Toni nodded and we started back the way I'd came, meeting up with Cheryl, Archie and Kevin. "Hey guys, I'll meet you there in a bit." They nodded. Cheryl hesitated.

"Hey Toni, if you're not too busy, would you like to join us?" She asked.

"I'd love to. I'm pretty much done with my duties for the day unless Betty calls, which she won't. She never does."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" I asked, laughing.

"We'll just drop these off and meet you?" She asked.

"Perfect. But hurry. I can't be around testosterone alone for more than fifteen minutes tops." Cheryl pleaded.