~Three Months Later~
After what seemed like the longest and busiest three months of my life, I finally had everything unpacked and my life in Riverdale was completely set and on track. I had been doing well therapy sessions with my new therapist and taking the meds they had prescribed. All in all, everything seemed to be going great for me so far.
Even if Archie has constantly tried to fight the divorce, citing that I had no proof of his infidelity now that it has come out the Melanie lied about the pregnancy to force Archie to leave me, Kevin has not let it be challenged.
I honestly laughed when I heard the news that his little mistress had pulled the wool over his eyes. He tried calling me at the Pembrooke and left messages with Andre begging me to come back but I tossed them into the fireplace and kept moving forward with the divorce. He did me a favor by showing me what a horrible marriage we had, there's no way in hell I would go back to that life now.
It had been really refreshing to get back into my old life and routine here in the town that I grew up in, even if I have been mostly busy working two jobs. I still try to do as many freelance editorial jobs as possible to have extra money and to add to my portfolio but mainly I am the new head waitress at Pop's Chocklit Shoppe. It really was the most surreal thing to be working back at the old job I held in high school. Seemed like my life had come full circle somehow.
Regardless, I was really very lucky that Pop was kind enough to give me back my old position, even after being gone for almost a decade. The other employees don't seem to mind either, so that is a plus and since Pop doesn't use tips to pay his staff, there isn't anyone fighting to get a better cut at the end of the night. We all got along and I have some of the most awesome co-workers (a few I even went to school with). There was Nancy Clayton - nee Woods - and Trula Twyst, our typical morning and mid-shift girls who only worked part-time while they were working on their Master's degrees online.
Nancy had married Chuck Clayton shortly after graduation and they had settled down in a lovely little two-story house. Chuck took over coaching duties at Riverdale High after getting his degrees in Sports Medicine so that Nancy could go to school full-time and one work when she needed the cash. Nancy and I had remained friends after high school - in fact, Archie was a groomsman at their wedding - but neither of them treated me any differently now that Archie and I weren't together. They knew the circumstances of the divorce and helped to support me through this time.
Trula hadn't changed much over the years and I had forgotten how sweet she was back when we were kids. She stayed in Riverdale after graduation to go to school at Riverdale University to help take care of her sickly mother. She was awarded scholarships and helped supplement her mother's monthly checks by working at Pop's when she could.
We also had a normal overnight worker named Adam Chisholm, who was in Polly's graduating class that was getting ready to go on leave for the next twelve weeks. He was married to another girl I knew from Riverdale High, Ginger Lopez, and she had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl named Angel not two days ago. Adam came by the diner during my last shift to show us girls photos of Ginger and little Angel and she was just the cutest thing ever. I was so excited to be apart of these people's lives again after all these years.
There was one worker that I hadn't gotten the chance to meet just yet whose name I didn't recognize from back in the old days. I was fairly certain Pop said her name was JB and she was the normal head waitress, although he said it would be a few months before she was going to be back to work because she has been on vacation to see her Mom in Oregon - or maybe it was Ohio - I really couldn't remember which one.
Just a few weeks ago, Pop asked me if I would be willing to switch over to night shifts primarily until Adam returned from paternity leave. Pop had been working himself ragged and he was hoping to have a steady night-shifter so that he and Mrs. Tate could have their evenings together during the week. It really didn't bother me in the slightest, if I'm being honest.
I was completely fine with the arrangement seeing as most nights at Pop's were slow anyway and it was only four nights a week which would still allow me to have my weekends off. Granted, it's not like I had much of a social life to speak of currently so I took the shifts from him without hesitation.
It did make me a little nervous sometimes being the only one working in the diner overnight since I am there alone from 11 pm until 6 am but - so far - I haven't had any issues. It helps that we currently have a limited menu at the diner during those hours so it's mostly just me making cold sandwiches, dishing out pie and hot coffee, or making the occasional basket of fries with someone's milkshake.
And truthfully, doing overnight shifts were actually doing good for me since I had been having trouble sleeping lately. That's the thing about sleeping alone after years of having a spouse, you get so used to the other person being there that when they aren't, it causes you to have insomnia. It was just one more adjustment I never thought I would have to make at this stage of life.
However, the upside to working here in the dead of night was that it gave me plenty of down-time to work on my articles in peace and quiet, allowing me to essentially kill two birds with one stone. And best of all, it ensured that I wouldn't run into Alice Cooper anytime soon. I had been dodging her calls and texts after that disastrous homecoming we had and I was loving the fact that I had a valid excuse not to see her. When she was awake, I was either sleeping or out running errands with Veronica or working on the divorce papers with Kevin. When I was at work, she had already taken her sleeping pills and was blissfully passed out for the night. And I made sure to tell her that my weekends were strictly for 'B&V' time per Veronica's demands so she hadn't been able to catch me on those days either.
I did sort of feel bad that I hadn't been completely honest with her about why I wasn't coming around or calling her back, since I do see my dad some weekends without her knowing, but I just can't bring myself to be around her yet. Not after how she treated me when I came home. Dad and I would usually meet up when Alice goes out of town for work, that way I didn't have to deal with the drama or lectures from my Mother. He understands why I don't want to see her and he supports me on that decision. Hell, I'm pretty sure if he could he would run screaming for the hills by now.
When I did get a chance to hang out, I would come over and help him with the new project car that he had purchased. I was a tiny bit out of practice since the only car I was allowed to work on was the car I had that died on me and it wasn't a classic like this one was. Archie never really liked me working on our cars too much - felt that a professional should work on them - so this had been very cathartic for me. It felt like I was slowly starting to get another part of myself back and it felt amazing. I had completely forgotten just how much I loved being in my greasy overalls and working on old engines with my Dad.
Most days when we would take breaks from working on the car, Fred would invite me over for coffee or even just to chat and catch up on how I was doing. He would still try to apologize to me for the way everything ended with Archie but I would always tell him it was not his fault and Archie was a grown man who could responsibility for his own actions. It was kind of sad that Fred made me feel supported in a way that Alice never really did. Right now, dealing with her was just as toxic as dealing with Archie and I am trying to rebuild my life. I can't have that toxicity around me right now.
Not if I want to be happy again.
Tonight was the first Friday night that I didn't have anything going in what seemed like a month and all I could do was sit on my bed and stare at the book I was attempting to read on my phone, completely bored out of my mind. There wasn't much for a single twenty-five-year-old to do here in sleepy old Riverdale other than to see a movie or hit up the few clubs around town and for the first time since the split, I found myself actively wondering if I would ever find someone again.
I mean... I'm smart, beautiful, and funny... aren't I? I'm a good catch, right? But am I really one of those women who needs to depend on a man for what she needs to survive? Do I really want to risk getting hurt again like I did with Archie? And do I honestly want to end up with a guy like Archie again? A man who wants a perfect wife with the perfect image when I don't want to be that girl anymore? My thoughts were shaken loose by a soft knocking on my bedroom door.
"Come in," I called out, looking up to see Veronica's smiling face staring back at me.
"Hey B, I just got a call from Cheryl inviting us to go out with her tonight. Apparently, she has a new girlfriend who - get this - is a Serpent! Scandalous right?! Anyways, she heard we haven't really had the time to go out much and just let loose and have fun, so she wanted to invite us out. I already promised her we would meet them for drinks tonight... whatcha say, B?" Veronica was practically bouncing out of her skin with excitement - she never likes turning down an invite for a night out - so what else could I say to that?
It does sound like fun but I don't know if I really want to be a fifth wheel with the happy couples right now. Especially with all my self-doubting thoughts that were going through my head as of late. "I don't know, V-..."
"Bettykins, you know I love you but you need to loosen up. You are always working or fixing your dad's car and you promised me some B time," she stuck her perfectly painted bottom lip out and gave me a sad look. "Please, B? How about this? What if we just call this a 'divorce party' and we get hammered, dance, and play pool all night? Just like the old days, what do you say? Please, please, please?!"
I broke out in a grin knowing that there was no way I could ever tell Veronica Lodge no when she gave me that damned look. I giggled behind my hand and finally gave in to her begging. "You know what, let's do it! It's Friday night and I don't have anything else to do. I deserve to get plastered and have a little fun with my friends. That ginger bastard can go to the devil for all I give a damn!"
"And, who knows B, maybe you'll meet a hot Serpent of your own who will make you forget all about stupid old Archie Andrews?" Veronica suggested, wiggling her eyebrows as I threw a pillow in her direction.
"Yeah Ronnie, not gonna happen but thanks for the vote of confidence," I chuckled and rolled my eyes, starting to dig through my closet for a decent outfit. Veronica pulled me out of the closet and shook her head.
"Trust me, B. Once I get finished with you, someone will definitely be taking you home tonight," she winked, grasping my hand and dragging me down the hall to her closet instead.
I knew from that look she had in her eyes that night was about to get interesting...
"Ronnie, babe... When you said we were meeting Cheryl and her new lady for drinks, I didn't think you meant here!" Reggie whined, staring at the large sign that read The Whyte Wyrm.
Just from looking at the building from the outside, it looked like any of your run of the mill, nondescript bar. You wouldn't know that there was any difference in this bar from any other small-town bar.
Except...
There was one tiny detail that made The Whyte Wyrm stand out from all the other bars: the parking lot.
The parking lot was dark and gritty, just like the majority of the patrons of this establishment. All along the front and side of the building, you can see lines of motorcycles and groups of tough-looking bikers smoking in scattered groups.
The building and its occupants gave off a strong vibe that this was not a place for Northsiders like us. And - to top it off - it would seem that every Serpent in the Southside was here tonight.
"Geez, lighten up Reg! They're just a bunch of bikers, they won't bite. Cheryl promised that it was cool and Toni already vouched for us. Said something about knowing Betty already and since she is also Cher's cousin, that family was always welcome," Veronica gave me a sideways glance, gauging to see my reaction.
"Wait, what?" I looked at Veronica questioningly but she just shrugged before turning back towards Reggie.
Did I hear her correctly? How does Cheryl's girlfriend know me? I racked my brain trying to think of any Toni at Southside High that I could have possibly tutored but I couldn't think of anyone at the moment.
Reggie was still looking a bit nervous about being us here, but Ronnie had this uncanny ability to calm him like no other. She could turn any man into butter, to be honest.
Myself, however? Well, I was a twisted bundle of nerves just at the thought of entering this forbidden place. Especially with the knowledge that I am not as much of a stranger to these people as all my friends think that I am.
Veronica was the only person who even remotely knew that there was more to my tutoring then I let on, but even she couldn't dream up the full truth: the Serpents were my bodyguards when I tutored kids. They kept me safe every time I entered and left Southside High.
When I was a little girl, my Mom would tell me all of these horror stories about life for people growing up on the Southside, how dangerous the Southside Serpents were, and that I was to never go near them ever.
I knew she was using that horror stories about growing up on the Southside to try to scare me but it just proved to intrigue me all the more. That was one reason why I agreed to tutor at Southside High. I wanted to see how dangerous it really was, to see if there was anything to the stories she told us as kids.
And what I found didn't actually scare me at all. In fact, I was drawn to the Southside even more. Being there fed into the dark part of me that I had never let anyone see. Not even Archie. I knew he would never have been able to handle the blackness that I kept hidden away under all of the happy smiles and bubblegum pink facade.
I never let that part of myself show through, no matter how much it wanted to rise to the surface. I never dared venture too far onto the wrong side of the tracks for fear of what may be unleashed. What the real Betty Cooper would look like if the darkness was freed.
Because of the Serpents, I knew that - at Southside High - I was safe. However, there were far more dangerous things then the Serpents that lurked in this part of town. They all warned me back then to never come without one of them escorting me and that I was only to come to the school, never anywhere else. And especially not at night.
Now here I am, grown-up Betty Cooper, standing in front of this sketchy-looking building at 10 pm and trying to mentally prepare myself to enter the belly of the beast.
I couldn't help but think about what my mother would say if she saw what I was about to do. Elizabeth, these people are criminals and scum! You need to be a good girl and come back to the Northside before bad things happen.
I held my head high and with one last deep breath, I cast my mother's words aside and psych myself up. You can do this, Betty. You are not that perfect little girl, remember that!
As we make our way to the front door of the bar, I couldn't help but tug at the hem of the tight leather mini skirt Veronica insisted that I wear tonight. It was absolutely the shortest skirt I had ever worn in my entire life and my cheeks flushed just thinking about what people might see.
It was terrifying and thrilling all at the same time.
She paired the skirt with a shimmery silver backless halter top, which left very little to the imagination while also ensuring that I could not wear a bra. I decided to wear my black leather jacket and thigh-high boots, completing my new look.
In this outfit, I definitely don't feel like myself but felt like the person I should have always been. That girl who was leather and darkness, the one that hides under pink sweaters and cardigans, who was asking to claw her way out.
I never dared to be this bold with my look before and I honestly wasn't sure what the reaction was going to be, but I hoped that it was going to be good.
As we reached the oversized red door to the bar, I held my breath and waited for whatever was on the other side of this door.
Here goes nothing...
Have you ever seen those movies where a stranger walks into a saloon or bar and everything just stops?
Like the talking... drinking... hell, even the music comes screaming to a halt and everyone's eyes are fixed on the invading stranger?
Well, let me tell you, this is a thing that actually happens in real life. I knew this to be true because I was currently standing at the entrance to The Whyte Wyrm with Reggie and Veronica beside me, all eyes trained on us. It was quite terrifying, to say the least.
It was as if we were being sized up by an angry mob, ready to run us down with pitchforks and torches if need be. I really shouldn't have been surprised, the Northside and Southside of Riverdale had never gotten along well in the past. I am secretly hoping to help change that fact, especially since my only cousin is dating a Southsider.
I swallowed nervously, waiting to move from the spot I stood frozen in until I could figure out what exactly to expect next. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a flash of fiery red, quickly followed by baby pink.
"Resume your regularly scheduled debauchery people, Blondie here is family, in more ways when one," said a commanding - yet feminine - voice. I grinned happily, knowing full well who that voice belonged to.
Cheryl Blossom - the HBIC herself - strolled down the stairs from the second floor of the bar, holding hands with a petite woman with flowing pink and brown hair. Both ladies were dressed like walking sin and seemed completely infatuated with the other.
Staying true to the Blossom aesthetic, Cheryl had on a very short, form-fitting blood-red dress with a matching leather jacket. Her crimson lips perfectly completed the look and somehow seemed to make her skin seem even paler - if that is even possible.
Toni on the other hand, now she was the type of woman I expected to see in a place like The Wyrm. With her black bra underneath her sheer top blacktop, hot pink boy shorts, and black fishnets paired with combat boots, she definitely screamed biker chick. She was sexy but still a bit scary at the same time.
As they finally make their way through the crowds of people, I was suddenly overcome with so much emotion that I broke away from the group to meet her halfway.
"Cheryl! Oh my God, I can't believe it's really you!" I said, embracing Cheryl and squeezing her tightly as I whispered into her shoulder, "I missed you so much, Cher."
"I've missed you too my darling cousin, Betty." She whispered back while stroking my hair. "I was so heartbroken to hear about the unpleasantness you had to endure at the hands of that miscreant, Archie Andrews." She rubbed my back as she spoke softly. As she pulled away, she grabbed the other woman's hand - who I assumed was Toni - and pulled her closer before speaking again.
"B, you just say the word. TT and I are more than willing to make damn sure that-that sorry son of a bitch you are cutting loose will never tap anyone else's maple tree again. We Blossoms stick together. Blood is blood and I am willing to spill his for you," she said confidently.
Well, Cheryl is obviously taking this about as well as I am, I laughed to myself at her ire.
Honesty, I think she feels about as betrayed as I do on this one. Cheating on and mistreating her flesh and blood, well... that was a no-no in Cheryl Blossom's book of cardinal sins.
"Really Cher, it's fine. Honestly, just knowing that my friends and family are willing to commit felonies on my behalf is touching enough!" I giggled, feeling so much more at ease than I did a few moments ago.
I began to feel like tonight was going to bring in big changes in my life.
And who knows, maybe I might be ready to consider Veronica's earlier suggestion after all...
Before I could change my mind and run back out the front doors, we made our way into the bar and put in our drink orders. We found a booth in the back near the pool tables - in case we want to claim one quickly if we decide to play - and sat down.
While we were waiting for our first round of drinks to arrive, I began to really notice just how warm it was inside of this bar. I moved to take my off my coat (secretly thanking Veronica for choosing a skimpy outfit for me) and placed it behind me on the back of my chair, instantly feeling cooler.
I looked out into the sea of leather and checked out faces to see if I know anyone. I didn't recognize anyone right off the bat but I soon started to feel all sorts of eyes on me, watching me closely. I felt like I am a piece of prime rib in a room full of hungry lions.
It was a feeling I had not felt in a very long time, if ever before. I think I might need to have a word with V about my wardrobe when we get home. My therapist did say I should find what makes me feel more comfortable in my own skin so a full makeover might just be what the doctor ordered.
Blushing at the thought of who might be watching me, I decided to shake off the butterflies with some shots of vodka that Toni ordered for the table. When our cocktails finally arrived, we all started sipping our drinks while Cheryl decided it was her duty to spill all the latest in Riverdale gossip.
Normally this task would have fallen to Kevin, but given that he was otherwise occupied this evening - having to stay in the office late to work on my divorce proceedings - Cheryl took up his mantle for the night.
I am so gonna owe him big time for this.
I already knew that most of the old gang was still kicking around town and that some had left town only to return for one reason or another - like myself. However, there were a few people who had managed to leave town and stay gone for good.
Ethel Muggs was living in Greendale and was engaged to some kid named Harvey. She met him at this alternative bookstore down there while looking for books on essential oils or something. Cheryl said things seemed to be going great for them but apparently he has a kid and his ex has been a real witch and was giving them issues.
Dilton Doiley was just one conspiracy theory away from being a certified doomsday prepper. He spent most of his time walking up and down the Appalachian Trail, 'living off the land' or something like that.
Always knew he had it in him to turn all 'creepy mountain man', especially after stumbling upon his bunker Senior year... I shivered at the memory.
Lastly, after years of small gigs and opening spots for bigger acts up the coast, Josie and the Pussycats finally got signed to a major label! They already booked interviews with Rocking Stone, Modern Miss Online and Click-feed. I can't wait to write that article!
They are also hitting the road this coming summer for their first tour as a headliner and Josie has promised that they will make a stop in Riverdale when they are headed to NYC...
After a few more minutes of gossiping - and a good starter buzz - I start to lose count of all the goings-on. Everyone seems to be doing their own couple things now, leaving me alone at the table. I started really feeling the music so I closed my eyes and started to sway my head to the beat when I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
I freeze mid-sway, knowing without even opening my eyes that someone was watching me. My stomach began doing somersaults and I didn't know whether I should look or not. I gathered my courage and slowly opened my eyes to meet the gaze of the most beautiful man I had ever seen.
He had semi-short messy obsidian hair with curls that cascaded over his eyes, making me want to run my fingers into them. His olive skin was speckled with tiny clusters of beauty marks that started on his face before running down the expanse of his neck and under his shirt. His jawline was so sharp I could almost feel it cut me as I imagined running tongue along it.
He was dressed in dark loose-fitting jeans and a white tank with a leather jacket hugging his trim frame.
I could see he wore suspenders hanging loosely under the dark flannel he had tied around his waist and he had on heavy-looking black combat boots.
My thighs rubbed together, imagining all the dirty things I could get into with a man like that. He was most definitely a Serpent and he looked like he could most definitely be dangerous. But there was just something about his eyes that wouldn't let me look away.
They were the most beautiful, piercing blue eyes, like the color of the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean. The kind of eyes that, if you looked into them long enough, you would get lost in them completely - like they longed for me to get lost in them. It was almost like being hypnotized by a ravenous snake just before it devoured you.
And yet, there is also something that seemed so familiar about his eyes. Like I had stared into them before. They felt so familiar, in fact, that it was almost as if I had been searching for them all my life and didn't even know about it until now. Like they were drawing me in and calling me home.
The intense feeling made my breathing start to hitch in my chest and my heartbeat pounds louder in my ears. Unable to break his gaze, I felt heat beginning to pool deep down in my belly, thinking of the ways I'd let this snake devour me if he wanted. I squeezed my thighs together again at the thoughts, seeking some small relief.
He could obviously see how affected I am by his gaze because suddenly he winks and gives me a sexy smirk.
I am instantly snapped back to reality and I glanced down quickly to gather my wits. My face burned bright red in embarrassment, knowing that he had caught me checking him out so blatantly.
I took a few deep breaths and once I have calmed my nerves, I looked up only to see that he was no longer standing there watching me. I searched all around where he had been standing and even across the bar but I never caught a glimpse of the eyes I was searching for. I felt a pinch of disappointment in my chest, having hoped that I could get another chance to look at his beautiful face.
However, I didn't get to be disappointed for too long before the ladies decided it was time to drag me onto the dance floor to work off some of my stress. Reggie graciously agreed to sit back and enjoy the show so that I could dance with Veronica and not some random stranger.
With the beat pounding in our ears, Veronica and I start dancing seductively with one another.
Swaging and grinding to the rhythm of the music, laughing at the look of shock on Reggie's face as we did. Really, this was nothing new for Veronica and me.
Back in high school, whenever Kevin would insist that we come with him to the club, we would often cling to each other in the hopes that no one would hit on us or try to get in our pants. So, yeah... sometimes that meant for a lot of 'questionable' dancing - and even a little kissing - just to prove a point to anyone who tried to catch either of us in a lie.
It wasn't really a big deal for us. It was never more than two besties protecting each other from sleazy guys who got handsy. We never told anyone, it was just a little secret between us and Kevin. I never even told Archie about it after we were married because I knew he'd get jealous.
And judging by the look on Reggie's face, Veronica never mentioned it to him either. After a few laughs, a couple more drinks, and a lot more dancing we decided to take a break.
Reggie wasted no time, grabbing her hand and practically dragging Ronnie to the bathrooms. Ew...
Meanwhile, Cheryl disappeared upstairs with Toni, leaving me to sit here all alone. Again.
I didn't see much of a point in staying at such a large table for just myself since I could almost guarantee that they were all going to be occupied for a while, so I grabbed my things and walked up to the bar.
Disappointment started to creep in once again, making me realize how lonely I really was. I decided I would order one more cranberry vodka before calling it a night and getting a cab back to my apartment. Maybe I can call Andre to pick me up? It might save me a few bucks.
As I waited for my drink, I felt an arm winding its way across my lower back in an attempt to grip my hip.
I spun around only to come face to face with the scariest looking man I think I have ever seen.
I smelled of cheap beer and cigarettes wafting off of him as he gave me a sinister grin, showing off his yellowed teeth. I tried to pull away but he wrapped his arms further around me, holding me in place between him and the bar top. His grip on me was so tight that I could actually feel bruises beginning to form where his fingers had dug into my skin.
"Hey sexy, I saw how you were dancing out there earlier," he slurred as he pulled me closer, "Looked like you and your pretty friend were just askin' for an ol' good time. Since she ran off with that other fellow, how about I show you a really good time?"
Without waiting for me to reply, he pulled me closer to him and began to kiss my neck roughly. I struggled against his hold but no one around us seemed to notice what was happening. Or worse... Being a Northsider, they just didn't care what was going to happen to me.
When one of his hands started to climb higher up my torso and under my shirt, I knew I had to do something. I had to fight back.
I shoved him as hard as I could but it almost didn't matter. I began yelling at him, hoping someone would intervene, "Yeah, that's a resounding no thanks. I'm good. Now, I suggest you take your slimy hands off me before you end up wearing this drink! Or worse!"
He laughed in my face, knowing he was much stronger than me, so he just gripped me tighter as he chuckled. That was when I saw his eyes darken and I knew this situation was about to become very, very bad. I looked around me again but even the bartender was helping some down the other way and couldn't see what was happening.
A horrible realization came to me as I struggled to pull myself free again but he wrapped his hand around my neck, gripping it tightly and cutting off my airway. I gasped for air and clawed at his wrist as tears prick the corners of my eyes.
"Listen here, you little bitch! I said I'm gonna show you a-," his growling voice was cut off from his thoughts by a booming voice behind me on the other side of the bar.
"Hey asshole, the lady said no thanks and here in this bar, we don't let anybody lay hands on any woman. So I suggest you let her go and get the hell out of my bar before I slice you up and feed you to the strays!" The mysterious voice barked. The man's grip on my throat loosened and I coughed as I felt the air rushing back into my lungs.
Once again everything in the bar came to a dead stop and everyone turned to face our direction again. The man glanced behind me over my shoulder, eyes growing wide before he let me go fully and ran out of the bar as fast as he humanly could. Just like that, all the chatter started up and the music played again - almost like nothing had even occurred at that moment.
I stood gripping the bar, trying desperately to catch my breath and stop my body from trembling as tears threatened to fall. I grabbed my drink and downed it in one gulp, hoping to calm my frayed nerves. It was then that I felt a warm hand on my bare shoulder. I tensed slightly until I heard a soft voice whispering into my ear.
"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" He breathed against my skin, causing goosebumps to explode across my skin in its wake. He smelled of coffee, cigarettes, and pine. I inhaled deeply, taking in his scent and committing it to memory, that action alone sending goosebumps further down my body. I felt the tingling between my legs at the same time as I felt the color creeping up to my face once again.
I turned to face my savior only to be met with those hypnotic eyes. The ones I so craved to get lost in.
Damn, he looks even tastier close-up, I mused in my mind. He started to chuckle and gave me a smile. Dammit, I think I said that out loud... I thought, embarrassed.
"Yeah, you did... both times actually," he smiled down at me, rubbing his thumb along my shoulder.
"Oh my God, that is so embarrassing. I guess with all the alcohol I drank tonight my brain's filter stopped working," I giggled, trying to collect myself with a smile, "I'm Betty. Betty An- Cooper, Betty Cooper."
I held my tiny hand out for him to shake but he gripped it instead, lifting it up to press soft kisses to my knuckles. My face burned crimson again at the feeling of his lips on my skin. I couldn't tell if it was his lips or the drinks affecting me but I could feel my body heat rising.
"Oh, I know who you are, Betty. You just might not remember me," he smiled, devilishly. I stared back at him, confusion evident on my face.
I knew his eyes were familiar to me but just as I started to ask him his name, my head started to spin and I felt ill. I didn't think I drank that much, especially with that scare sobering me up, so I knew something felt off.
"I'm Ju-... Betty, are you ok? Do you need some water?" He asked with a concerned look in his eyes.
My vision started to blur and my eyelids began to feel extremely heavy. I wasn't sure what exactly was happening to me but what I did know from past experience was that I was about to pass out. I gripped the bar tighter as I started to sway back and forth, hoping and praying that I can keep myself awake.
His concerned voice faded further into the darkness that threatened to take over as I let go of the bar and I felt myself stumbling into his arms.
The last thing I heard before I blackout was his gruff voice whispering, "Don't worry, Betts. I will keep you safe. You're always safe with me...I promise..."
And with that, I once again gave in to the darkness that surrounded me.