Happy New Year everyone! I wanted to finally upload the follow-up chapter to Flashbacks: Betty. I honestly like writing these but let me know if you like reading them.

Smileymee16

Chapter 5b: Flashbacks (Archie)

We gathered that morning in the auditorium, excitement radiating out of everyone present. Jughead stood with the serpents, our friendship completely damaged and seemingly forgotten. Veronica stood with the vixens, ignoring mine and Jughead's existence. I had searched for Betty that morning when I wanted to walk her to school just one las time. I searched again throughout the school as we began to receive our cap and gowns. Finally, as we stood in line waiting for the ceremony to begin, I found myself searching one last time in the hallways, my eyes darting at the direction of any movement.

At the sound of Pomp and Circumstances, I sighed in defeat.

She wasn't coming.

As we walked down the parted isle of parents and towards our seats. I caught sight of Mrs. Cooper, who had been waiting with a camera in her hands. She slowly relaxed her hands as her eyes darted from student to student, unable to find Betty.

"Betty?" I saw her mouth. I shrugged right before I disappeared further down the aisle and reached my seat. I placed my cap on the seat next me, part of me hoping

"She didn't say anything to you, did she?" Mrs. Cooper asked after the ceremony was done. I shook my head, still looking around the room for blonde hair.

"I assumed when she wasn't in her room this morning that you two would have left together." Mrs. Cooper continued.

"I should have checked in earlier, Alice, I'm so sorry. Do you have any idea where she could have gone Archie?" my dad placed a hand on my back for comfort, but we both knew that nothing was going to help until I found her.

"Pop's maybe? I don't know." I sighed in defeat as I watched my father nod and escort Alice to the back of the auditorium.

I stood there thinking of where she may have gone that was so important for her to have missed graduation. I observed my dad and Alice talking, her hand going back and forth between her chest and her head. My dad soon headed back towards me when I noticed the slight limp in his walk. My eyes grew and the hairs at the back of my neck stood up.

I knew where she was.

I approached the old cabin with caution. I hadn't stepped foot in it since Sophomore year when we were investigating The Black Hood. Shivers traveled down my spine the closer I got. My breathing quickened and the grip my hands had on the steering wheel seemed to tighten with every second I approached. At the sight of her, however, it all just vanished.

Betty was sitting on the front steps of the cabin, her hair in loose waves and her dress smudged with mud and dirt from what I was assuming was her hike there.

I stepped out of the truck once I got to the side of the house. Betty's head remained low as I approached.

"This…" Betty began, "this is my future."

I sat next to her on the steps, making sure to not interrupt her.

"How long will it be until the inevitable happens and I find myself hovering over a body because I killed them? It's going to happen, right? It's in my genes. Why would I go to graduation and talk about dreams and our futures when this right here, is mine? I'm a fraud, Arch."

"No, you're not Betty."

"Yes I am! I'm fucked up, Archie. Seriously fucked up. I was supposed to speak to our entire class about our last four years and how we're all meant for bigger things. You know how I'm going to make my mark in the world? By being the daughter of a fucking serial killer, that's how. That's how I'm known in this town and that is my future."

I drove Betty home that night. We sat in silence after her speech. I felt like a coward. A coward who couldn't defend his best friend. A coward who let his best friend ramble on about a legacy she didn't create for herself. I stayed awake the whole night trying to think of an apology that would work, but when I knocked on the door the next day, she was gone.

For years, my first and last thought of the day, was Betty Cooper. Unknowingly to her, she was able to get me through my darkest days. She was able to soothe every nightmare I had and relax every muscle without her ever being there. I was always thankful for our friendship, but after she left, I was furious with her memories. I didn't want her to intrude my every thought. I didn't want her to chase away the nightmares and flashbacks. No. I wanted them to take over my every thought. I wanted with everything in me to erase her.

The two months before Betty returned were quiet. My heart still remembered the pain of missing her with every glance towards her window. Until one day, my heart wasn't just remembering a memory, it was looking at one. Betty Cooper had returned.

Thoughts?

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Smileymee16