The first thing I noticed when I woke up from the horrific nightmare I'd been having was a high-pitched noise, one that could only be described as the most annoying beeping sound known to man.
Without much thought, I reached my hand out to hit the damned snooze button on my phone, only to find that there was nothing more than soft blankets within reach.
Confused, I slowly opened my eyes to see that I was in a moonlit hospital room. Then the realization washed over me, the beeping sound I heard was my own heart. I sat up, taking in my surroundings. Three white walls and a giant glass window-lined the room and the machines that were hooked into my body were steadily beeping.
I looked out the window and I could see the lights from the city twinkling just as bright as the stars above them. It had to have been pretty late in the evening given the stillness of the hospital room and the darkness around me.
I was having the hardest time remembering why I was here in the first place or what could have possibly caused this. How did I get to the hospital? Was I in an accident or something? I wondered.
As if to answer my thoughts a voice from the corner of the room spoke out of the darkness, startling me. "Archibald called 911 after you blacked out in the backyard. You were half-frozen when the paramedics arrived. The doctors were afraid you were hypothermic, you gave us all a huge scare, B."
Jumping out of my skin, I instantly knew the voice echoing in the night. "V? What are you doing here?" I stared at her blankly, squinting to see her better in the dim lighting.
"I'm your soul-sister, B. Why wouldn't I be here?" Veronica clicked the lamp above the silver gurney style bed I was laying in and sat down beside me.
Her jet black hair was brilliantly shining in the new lighting, her matching black dress and cape making her look just like the girl I'd met that first day in Pop's all those years. It made me smile at the memory of my best friend, the one person who I knew without a doubt would always be there for me.
"Well yeah, V, of course. But how did you make it all the way from Paris to here in just a few hours? Did you take a rocket?" I chuckled. I suddenly realized the seriousness of her being here and what it could mean.
"Ronnie, where's Reggie? Oh God, did you call my mother? Please tell me she hasn't heard about me being here yet! You know Alice, she'll make a huge fuss over me being here and I can't deal-," I stop ranting and began to panic, frantically searching for my cell to call and run damage control.
"Betty, listen I need you to calm down... Hey, it's okay, B. Reggie is in Riverdale at mommy and daddy's penthouse. And don't worry about calling your mom, she is probably sleeping by now anyway. Mrs. Andrews called Fred and he has been keeping your parents updated," she took my hand and began petting it, trying to soothe me as she spoke.
"As for your other question: yes, I did fly. But B," Veronica sighed softly as she hesitated to continue, "Sweetie, you have been unconscious for two days now."
Two days! How- how is that even possible? Why can't I remember what happened? I thought.
All I could remember was the horrible nightmare I had. Had I gotten into an accident as I feared?
I opened my mouth to speak when the door to my room clicked open and a very stout, friendly-looking nurse came in, wheeling a cart behind her to check my vitals.
"Well, hello-hello there sleeping beauty! We were beginning to wonder when you would wake up. You are looking much better now deary." She checked my pulse rate and blood pressure as she continued to chat.
"How would you like some nice soup? Poor dear, you are probably starving! I know just the thing! We have some snacks in the backroom for our patients who are hungry for something between meals," she smiled warmly and bounded out of the door as quickly as she came. Still somewhat confused, I turned back to my best friend with a questioning glance.
"Ronnie, what happened? How did I end up here?" Veronica's chocolate eyes seemed to flash with panic as she came to understand that I had no memory of the events that transpired to bring me to this point.
"Betts, sweetie- I, uh, well... You see…" I could see that she was searching for a gentle way to tell me something but I wasn't sure what.
"It's just that you ...and Archie... Well, honey, he filed for divorce and changed the locks on the house," she frowned.
As soon as the words left her mouth, the memories came flooding back in and I realized that my nightmare was no nightmare at all. It was all too painfully real.
Archie, Melinda, the affair, the baby. Their baby. They are having a baby…together.
I remembered everything. The car trouble, coming home early only to find them together in our bed, sitting in the freezing snow while sobbing, Archie throwing me out and telling me he wanted a divorce. I must have blacked out...
I sank back into my pillows and stared at the ceiling tiles above me. I closed my eyes and silently prayed that this would all still just be a dream, a horrible nightmare that I would wake from at any moment.
But when I opened my eyes, I was still sitting in this same hospital bed, my best friend's worried face staring down at me. It wasn't a dream or even a nightmare, it was real. My life was gone. My husband, my job, my home, even my car - they were all gone. He took everything from me and left me with nothing.
I could feel my blood begin to boil as the anger over his betrayal and his lies intensified. The urge to clench my fists grew as tears threatened to well up behind my eyes. I have to fight this, I can't let him take anything else away from me.
"No. I will not cry over him ever again! I am not going to let him break me, Ronnie. I won't give that bastard the satisfaction of getting anything else from me. Our marriage was far from perfect and he's already taken too much from me, he won't get anymore! I am done being someone's doormat. I am taking control of my life back now!" I shook my head violently to stop the tears. I held my head high and put on my Alice Cooper approved brave face as if trying to convince myself and not Veronica of what I was saying.
She simply squeezed my hand and reassured me that it would all be ok, no matter what. I spaced out, regulated my breathing and after calming down a bit, I realized that Ronnie was still trying to talk to me.
"... and I can transfer everything back to Riverdale. I was thinking I could open up one of my boutiques on Main Street and we can get an apartment together, just you and me. Just like it was supposed to always be. I have really missed being back home, being close to my bestie. I had forgotten how beautiful the winters were here. And besides, I am getting tired of all the tourists in Paris anyway. Uh- B, are you listening?" she asked furrowing her brow.
I smiled, nodding my head as I reply, "Yeah. Sorry, V. I guess I spaced for a minute there but I am listening."
"It's ok, love, I understand why. So, what do you say? We can move back home and take Riverdale by storm once again! B and V against the world, just like old times. How about it?" Veronica clutched my hand between hers, eyes pleading with me and I smiled at her. I have missed her so very much and would love to have my V back. But for her to uproot her life just for me, I don't think I could handle that.
"V, are you sure? You really don't have-," she raised her hand and cut me off before I could say anything else.
"Nonsense, B. I am your bestie for life so I want to be here for you right now! Besides, I am your elder and I know Alice always told you to respect your elders, B," I chuckled at the stern look she shot me, rolling my eyes at her pulling rank on me like that.
"You are only older by four months, V," she smiled back at me, mockingly raising an eyebrow to stress her seriousness.
"Yes, but older still," I knew at that moment that there was no arguing with her. Once Veronica Lodge got her mindset on something she was even more stubborn than I about sticking to it (and that's saying something).
She and I were alike in so many ways but also very different at the same time. I was the sweet one, Veronica was the spicy one. I was the classic beauty whereas Veronica was more gothic beauty. I was a planner, Veronica was spontaneous. She was the yin to my yang and vice versa, two parts of one whole. I was glad to have her here beside me as I went through this whole messed up ordeal. I honestly don't know what I would do without my V.
"Okay, V. You win. Let's do this!" Veronica clapped her hands and jumped up and down in her seat in her excitement. The plans we devised were simple and only involved a few simple steps to free me from this horrible marriage I had been in.
Veronica had already spoken to Kevin about drawing up papers of his own to have the dissolution of the marriage be made clear as an affair and not anything else. Kevin was honestly just as angry as I was when Archie had told him he was dropping him as his attorney but that he should stay on retainer as mine. He knew something was up but he couldn't pinpoint what it was but now that he knows, he is out to take Arch to the cleaners which frankly makes me laugh internally just a bit. Just to think about sweet, lovable Kevin Keller going to war against Archie Andrews in court over me? It was amazing and Archie won't stand a chance once Kevin is through with him.
Veronica had also spoken to Hermione and she offered up two of the suites at The Pembrooke: a two bedroom two bath for Ronnie and I and a Studio apartment for Reggie since he is uprooting his life as well to follow her back to Riverdale.
I tried to explain that I would be happy taking the studio but she wouldn't hear of it, claiming she needed all the B time she could get since it had been at least 2 years since we last saw one another. Unfortunately, that was what used to be the happiest day of my life. Now it is just one of the worst mistakes of it.
But I won't think of that tonight. He won't ruin my life any more than he already has.
As Veronica and I sat there trying to discuss all the things we need to do to push past the events of the last few days, I could feel my eyelids become heavy and I knew sleep would soon take over me again.
Veronica promised to be back first thing in the morning with my favorite pastries and coffee from our spot in the city. She hugged me goodbye and after she stepped out the door I rolled over to stare at the stars. As I laid there waiting for sleep to overtake me, I had to ask myself: When will I complete the stages of grief? I have denied, gotten angry, bargained, and even been depressed.
All that's left is acceptance. But how can I accept that my life as I knew it was now over?
The next few days seemed to go by in a fog, events all bleeding together into one jumbled mess. Nothing felt real to me yet, it was almost like I was living in a constant dream state. I could remember bits and pieces, things that the doctors said - speaking to me about anxiety and trauma and meds - but I kind of tuned it all out. I let Veronica handle all those things cause I still couldn't understand what happened out of my mind and what I needed to do in order to pick up the pieces. Those days seemed like nothing more than one continuous emotional beating.
Finally, after three days, they released me from the hospital. They gave me instructions to fill the prescriptions for my anxiety disorder and to make sure to follow up with a psychiatrist when I reach Riverdale. I thanked them for everything they had done and signed my discharge papers and waited for Veronica to bring the car around.
Veronica pulled up in her black Cadillac and as I hopped in she explained her plans for getting me out of that house. She decided to hire movers to help me pack my belongings in order to make the move back to Riverdale smoother. She wanted to make sure it went as quickly as possible, in case Archie gave me any trouble because that was likely. We drove in relative silence most of the way there until Veronica finally spoke.
"Don't worry, B. I will make sure that everything is taken care of as quickly as possible. I hired the best movers in the city so this won't take long, I am sure. The faster we get all your stuff, the sooner we can go back home and start our new lives." I couldn't help but be nervous. I wasn't really sure what to expect when we arrived but I had a feeling Archie planned to make it difficult for me. Because of this feeling, I wasn't at all shocked to see that Archie wasn't alone at the house when we arrived.
As we pulled up to what was once my dream home, I found myself face to face with Archie, his mistress, and his sleazy new lawyer.
"Christ, what the hell is she doing here?" I mumbled to myself. I could feel the urge to dig my nails deep into my flesh, but I knew I needed to fight it. I wouldn't give Archie and his side chick the satisfaction of seeing my pain. Archie stepped walked down the steps, moving closer to meet Veronica and I while his lawyer and girlfriend stayed on the porch to avoid any confrontation.
He explained that his lawyer wanted to document my move so that 'I would only remove my things from the home and ensure that I didn't damage any of his personal property in the process'. Ha! The only 'personal property' Archie Andrews had to worry about getting damaged was that stupid face of his if he gave me any trouble!
"Come on Betts, let's just get this over with as painlessly as possible so we can both move on. I really need to get Mel's stuff set up inside and your clothes and things are taking up so much space. And I need your library cleared so we can put in the nurs-," Archie stopped his ramblings when he noticed that Veronica and I were just staring at him with disbelief on our faces.
"You- you- worthless little Hijo de puta!" Veronica screamed, losing her cool and pointing her finger in Archie's face. "You think you can just cheat on my best friend and mistreat her the way you did me and I would just sit down and take it? Oh, Dios mío Archibald, I always thought it was a joke but you really are a fucking idiota!" She seethed as she poked him in the chest with her sharp, manicured fingernails.
I had to admit that even I was a bit frightened at this moment, having never seen Veronica this angry before. And honestly, if I didn't know for a fact that she had my back, I personally would never dare cross one Miss Veronica Lodge. The rage that was emanating off of her at that moment was like nothing I had seen. I honestly thought Veronica was ready to have Hiram order a hit on Archie at any moment. The fire in her eyes was so powerful I am sure Hades himself would tremble before the petite Latina. Many people thought Hiram Lodge was scary but they had never seen just what Veronica was capable of herself.
"V, just keep your head, help the movers, and I will be up in a minute. Okay? And..." I whispered, I pulling her to the side so she could cool off while I spoke to Archie myself. "There is a large cedar chest in the attic. Can you make sure they load that in the car? All my stuff from high school is in there."
"Sure thing, B. I got you," she placed a quick kiss on my cheek before she headed off to supervise the movers and make sure nothing was getting damaged. I took a long deep breath before turning back to face Archie for what I hoped would be the last time before the divorce proceedings. He gave me a smug grin like he was so proud of himself that I still catered to his needs. Well, he was about to learn he was wrong.
"First off Archibald, never call me Betts again. Got it? You lost the right to call me that when you decided to fuck around with her - and God knows who else - while you were still sleeping with me in our bed. You will address me as Elizabeth from here on out. At least I hate that name as much as I hate you, so it works out," I paused, glancing at Melinda then back to Archie. With my face stony and my voice firm, I continued.
"Secondly, I don't give a damn about your plans for this house or your future. Do whatever the hell you want. Burn the motherfucker to the ground for all I give a shit. I am just here to collect my things from my past that do not involve you," I stated, shaking from the anger but willing myself to continue, "As for anything that is even remotely related to you and me? Burn it. Put it through a woodchipper. Whatever. I don't want it or need it. At the very least if you aren't going to burn in hell, then our past together can," I turn on my heels without letting Archie speak and marched confidently up the stairs to meet Veronica.
She was still rather peeved about the whole confrontation with Archie but I managed to keep her placated by promising she could ruin his life after the divorce was final. I instantly saw the mischievous look in her eyes and I knew that Archie was in for a world of hurt. Serves him right for what he did to me.
We made quick work of packing all my things and getting them loaded into the back of the moving truck, making sure there are no reminders of my old life with him. As the movers are packing up the final boxes, I hear Veronica clear her throat behind me.
"Hey B, I found this on your nightstand and I didn't know if you'd want to keep it, all things considered..." I looked down to see a picture of the old gang from high school. It was one that we took at Pop's the night of graduation. Cheryl, Veronica, and I are all hugging with Kevin and Archie flanking us on either side. We were so happy that night. I don't want to ever forget this moment in time but I know what I could do to make it less painful.
"Hey V, got any scissors?" I asked. She clutched her hand to her chest in mock betrayal.
"Betty Cooper, did you really ask me that? I am a fashionista and goddess of all things crafty. 'Do I have scissors?' Pfft," she scoffed, rolling her eyes for added effect. She reached into her purse and pulled out a black case that contained a pair of pure gold shears with a diamond-encrusted handle.
I giggled softly, knowing that if I ever imagined Veronica carrying around scissors, these would be the exact ones I would have imagined. I took the shears and gently cut the photo, making sure Archie was sliced out of it permanently. Lucky for me, he was on the end and no one would even know he existed if they weren't already there.
"There. Now it's perfect," I said as the picture of Archie fluttered to the ground before passing back the shears and smiling at Veronica. "Let's go home, V."
She grabbed my hand and without a second glance in Archie's direction, I walked away from the smoldering ashes of my old life. I am ready to go back home. I am ready to be Betty Cooper again. And for the first time since that horrible day, I finally feel like I can breathe again.
We spent the next few peaceful hours shifting for singing our lungs out to our favorite tunes to sitting in comfortable silence, just enjoying being together again. Unfortunately, once I saw that familiar sign for the town with pep come into view, I started to feel the cracks in my heart begin to form again. I have so many memories of Archie and I here that I began to worry that I made a mistake coming back here. What if this is not where I'm supposed to be? What will everyone say? What if they all know what he did... will I look like a failure because of it? Will anyone ever want me now?
As my anxiety level rose, I could start to feel my heart rate quicken and my breath stagger but before the tears had a chance to fall I felt Ronnie's hand on mine giving a gentle - yet knowing - squeeze.
"It's going to be okay, B. We will make new memories, together. B and V till the end right?" she said softly.
I couldn't help but smile at her and replied "Till the end, V. Always. And..." I smirked, "I know exactly what the first memory I want to replace is!"
Veronica smiled back, "Pop's?"
"Pops!" I exclaimed my face brightening just at the thought. Man, she does know me so well. Oh, how I have missed that.
Walking through the doors of that familiar diner after all these years was just like going back in time. Everything was exactly the same like no time had passed at all. From the red and white vinyl booths to the checkerboard tiles, nothing seemed to have been touched. It was all the same, all so familiar, and it was the most comforting thing I could have ever asked for.
If not for the fact that Pop Tate himself had obviously aged almost a decade, it would seem like Pop Tate's was some sort of time vortex where nothing aged or changed. There were even Riverdale High students in their cheerleading uniforms and letterman jackets, laughing and drinking milkshakes, just like the old days.
I almost felt like if I were to just close my eyes a bit, I could see that fifteen-year-old girl again and maybe go back to tell her to stay away from Archie Andrews. That maybe I could find someone else and change how things turned out. Maybe if I hadn't been so caught up in Archie, I might have found someone better. Someone who treated me like I mattered. Someone who had my common interests and who actually saw me - the real me - not the facade that was Alice Cooper's creation.
But, that was the thing about Archie and I's relationship, he never attempted to even see me. Not who I really was. He always liked the Stepford Wives mask; The perfect girlfriend, all pink and pastels. The perfect wife, baking cookies and bringing him his slippers. And I stupidly fed into it, living the life I hated as a teen because I thought I was in love.
It wasn't until I was shaken free of that fantasy life that I really discovered all the cracks that were actually in our marriage. All the times I tried to venture out of my 'girl next door' image, he would say that he didn't like me any other way. When I would talk about maybe changing my hairstyle, he would say how sensible my ponytails were and that he liked me plain. When I wanted to go out with girlfriend's, he would say I needed to stay home with him but if he was at the studio late or he went out, I had to be home waiting so he wouldn't come home to an empty house as his Dad had to so many nights.
I honestly don't know why I never saw the toxicity of our relationship before now. I guess I was so used to that way of life with Alice that I never saw how bad it really was. Even after everyone tried to tell me how he was, I was blinded to it. But they still tried.
Cheryl, Veronica, Valerie, Josie - hell even my mother - all warned me what kind of person he really was. That he didn't understand what it meant to settle down or how to treat a woman properly. That while he loved hard and fast, that love was always fleeting. That no one would ever be good enough because even Archie didn't know what he wanted. I just didn't listen to them. When I finally had him and he told me he wanted me forever, I stupidly believed him. I thought I was the one to finally tame him, the one to finally be enough for the heartbreaker Archie Andrews. But that was all a lie in the end.
As I stood in the doorway, memories flashed through my head before Veronica finally cleared her throat and pulled me to sit down. When we slid ourselves into our booth, the one we spent most of our teenage years in, Veronica spoke up attempting to break the silence.
"Okay B, now I know that it is probably difficult being here - given all the memories of 'He who shall not be named' - but I want us to push passed all that negativity and focus on the new life ahead of us, minus that ginger Judas!" she huffed while waving her hands about.
"Ronnie, did you just refer to Archie as Lord Voldemort?" I tilted my head and laughed at her growing blush.
"Hey, if the evil shoe fits, am I right? Besides, he is firmly planted in the past so we have no need to use his name anymore!" I could feel myself smiling a genuine smile at her attempt to help me laugh at the situation.
"Well, I guess you are right but it seems like even Voldemort isn't that bad. I just never realized that you were a fan of the books is all." I chuckled, raising my eyebrow in surprise.
"B, please! You do realize they made those into movies right? And I may not have read the books but you can bet Daniel Radcliffe's sweet ass that I saw those movies," she wiggled her brow and we both burst into laughter.
It was at that moment that Pop came rushing up to our table, pure joy evident on his face. He must have been in the back when we entered because the surprise on his face was clear. I could almost see happy tears in his eyes threatening to surface.
"Well, if it isn't my two favorite girls!" He reached out his arms to envelop us both into a bear hug, "I haven't seen you around these parts in years. What are you two doing back here? Betty, how is Arc-," I held my hand up signaling him to stop and gently begin.
"Well, the thing is Pop... Archie and I, we are not together anymore," I said in a strong voice. "V and I decided maybe it would be best to start over, right here at home," I kept my eyes trained my hands that were clasped together on the table. I didn't want to see the disappointment on his face but my eyes finally met his when I felt his hand pat my shoulder gently.
"Well, that boy is losing out on the best thing in his life, Betty," he placed his hands over mine. "You deserve so much more and I know I don't know what happened but - from what I remember of that boy - it is probably Archie's fault," he squeezed my hands and gave me a sympathetic smile.
"I tell you what girls, how about I get your favorite orders ready for you, all on the house?" He said excitedly.
"Oh Pop, there's no need for that-," I start before he cuts me off.
"Nonsense, dear. Let's call this a welcome home celebration dinner. It will be good to have you girls back in town," he turned to walk away before pausing to speak again, "and Betty, your old job is always waiting for you if you need the extra cash." He smiled before heading into the kitchen.
We spent the next few hours reminiscing about the old days, laughing like schoolgirls and drinking our weight in celebration milkshakes. This was exactly what I needed: to feel like myself again, the old me. Not Betty Andrews. I needed to get Betty Cooper back. And hopefully this time a new and improved version of Betty Cooper. Betty Cooper I always wanted to be. The one I know is still buried deep inside me.
By the time we left Pop's, I felt somewhat better about where my life was heading now. As afraid as I was of the future, I knew that at least now I was on the right path. I just wasn't sure where it was leading me. But it was clear that the next step was facing the one person in my life who was probably going to tell me 'I told you so'. The person who would love to point out my failures and happily show me what I should have done - in their mind at least. And there was no time like the present if I was determined to slay this particular dragon.
Cooper residence, here I come.