.
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Veronica huffs, frowning and climbing into Tunnel of Love boat by herself. One or two boys from Riverdale High offer to sit with her, politely so, and Veronica turns up her nose to them as her answer. They respectfully walk away, going back in line.
Anything to get away from Hiram Lodge.
He insists she entertain his clients at tonight's fancy dinner party, and Veronica loves him dearly… but this is HER weekend.
For HERSELF.
It's supposed to be Riverdale's 75th Springtime Faire, full of ring-tossing games and sweet popcorn, and full of lots of relaxation with Veronica's friends. Since she's ran off, escaping a pleading Hiram Lodge at her heels, Veronica can't find Betty or Archie or Jughead.
Considering what to do, Veronica feels the boat smoothly pulling forward.
She primly adjusts her lemon-yellow dress.
Hiding away for a moment… yes, it's the right decision, Veronica tells herself, nodding furiously. Perhaps her father will scurry on home.
More boats enter the Tunnel of Love, right behind Veronica's boat, gently skimming the waters. After a minute of adjusting her eyes to the darkness, Veronica realizes she's not moving. Not one single boat is moving. Voices complain. She hears someone toss their baseball cap in.
In another minute, it's pandemonium.
Veronica startles, yelping when other people start climbing the boats, in and out. She desperately clutches her boat's sides.
"Golly!" comes a familiar, faraway voice.
Veronica's heart flitters.
"Is that you, Betty!" she calls out.
"Sure is!"
With a low, whirring jerk, Veronica's boat pulls forward.
She shoos away what sounds like a laughing Dilton Doiley.
Veronica fumes, crossing her arms. What a disaster! All alone in the Tunnel of Love! Everyone would rather run amok than kiss her!
Except…
There is someone next to her. Someone who didn't get to their boat in time.
Veronica listens to their soft, silent breathing, thinking over…
What should she do?
Before they can speak to her, Veronica leans over, squeezing shut her eyes and planting her lips against their cheek.
There!
Now she can say there was a kiss in the Tunnel of Love!
Except now… whoever it is… they immediately clutch onto both of Veronica's shoulders, urging her in, and all Veronica can think is how soft their mouth is. How lovely this kiss is. How breathless. Veronica exhales a whine, cupping their face, feeling even softer locks.
Is it…?
Bright sunlight floods in her eyes, and soon, they're out of Tunnel of Love.
"Jeepers, Ronnie…" Betty sighs, fluttering a hand, one of her naked feet dragging lightly in the water.
She slumps backwards.
Her cardigan and Veronica's lipstick smeared all-over her… well, it seems even more red against Betty's flushed features.
Any huff that Veronica feels coming on dissolves into giggles.
What a fair day for a faire!
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