Veronica suggests a girls' date at Pop's after school on Thursday, and Betty agrees. It will be nice to spend some quality time with Veronica.
"Is Archie okay?" Veronica asks as they wait for their milkshakes.
Betty frowns. "Of course, V. Why wouldn't he be?"
"I don't get why he's staying at your place and not mine. I told him Daddy was perfectly fine with it as long as he sleeps in the guest bedroom. Of course, I'd sneak him into my room but that's beside the point."
Betty shrugs. "He said he wanted to be closer to home and school. But if you're worried about him, maybe you should talk to him?"
"I've tried, but he keeps shutting me out," Veronica sighs. "If he says something, will you tell me?"
Betty nods, though it's a lie. Veronica is her best girl-friend, and she loves her. But Betty's loyalty is to Archie first, always.
Veronica shows no other signs that she's annoyed that Archie is staying at Betty's. Betty can't help but think that might not be the case if Veronica knew what had happened between Betty and Archie the night of the Black Hood. Or if she knew what Betty had been thinking about as she touched herself last night.
The girls finish their milkshakes and walk back to Betty's place together. As they reach the house, they hear the strumming of a guitar and Archie singing from his own garage, and they bypass the Cooper house in favour of seeing what Archie's up to.
He stops playing immediately when he notices the girls watching him.
"Don't stop on our account," Veronica says. "I haven't heard you play anything new in ages."
"We practised together at school today," Archie points out.
"But not something you wrote," Veronica huffs.
"He's been writing all week," Betty says. Archie shoots her an accusatory look. Betty shrugs. What's the big deal? It's not like it's a secret that he writes songs. She'd like to hear it too.
"Come on, play me something, Archiekins," Veronica bats her eyes at him, and apparently that's all it takes, because he sighs and his fingers find their place on the neck of the guitar.
Veronica looks pleased, and she drags the stool from the drums over to sit down. Betty remains standing. Archie glances up at them one last time before he starts to strum.
"Your name, gets my heart racing
Can't see the demons I'm facing
You've always been right there on my side
Even when I've fucked up, let you down, or lied
I swear you know me better than I ever could
I swear you hold me tighter than anyone else would
I swear you love me more than anyone should
I swear you make me feel, make me feel so good."
Truthfully, the song could easily be about Veronica. She clearly thinks it is, from the way she's tearing up. But deep down, Betty knows it's not. She closes her eyes as she listens to the lyrics, and she knows Archie is singing to her. Maybe it's that one line. I swear you know me better than I ever could. No one knows Archie better than she does, not even his dad, and certainly not Veronica, who hasn't even known him a year.
"Don't want to be without you
I always dream about you
Look me in the eye and try to say it's not real
And I feel I don't deserve you
But I swear I'll never hurt you
I just want to make you feel the way you make me feel."
Archie finishes the song, and Veronica applauds, standing up from her stool. Archie puts the guitar down, glancing at Betty. Betty chews the inside of her cheek, keeping her arms folded. Veronica rushes over to Archie and he stands up as Veronica kisses him.
Betty watches, her stomach sick as Archie's arms circle around Veronica. She has no right to feel jealous, and yet she does.
Veronica pulls away. "I can't believe you wrote me a song," she gushes. "It was so good, Archiekins. Right, Betty?"
Both of them look to Betty and she nods. "It was really good, Arch," she smiles. She's not lying. The song really was something. But it's left her feeling hollow. Or maybe it's the way Veronica is clinging to Archie. The way Archie clutches her waist. The way they kiss like no one is watching. Maybe the song is about Veronica after all.
"I'll let you two have some alone time," Betty says. Neither of them even responds as Betty leaves the garage. She heads to her room and throws herself on her bed.
She's glad she never let herself truly entertain the thought of being with Archie. Sure, she had a couple of fantasies, but she never deluded herself into thinking something might actually happen between them. Not this time, anyway.
After all, he's never going to leave Veronica. And it's not like Betty is going to leave Jughead either. And even if they both happened to break up with their respective partners, it's not like anything could ever happen. Anything that could occur between Betty and Archie, any relationship that might blossom, would be seen as an act of utter betrayal. Which is why that night in the car remains a secret.
And even if Betty had, somewhere deep inside her, imagined that something could still happen between her and Archie, one day, far in the future, she is very much aware now, that no such thing will ever be possible. And somehow, coming to that realisation hurts like hell.
It's warm, the Saturday of the Spring Fete, the warmest day of the year yet. It's sunny outside, although there is a storm forecast later. Sure she'll be home by then, Betty puts on a dress for the occasion. It's a short floral thing, with buttons all the way down the front. She thinks she looks pretty. She feels pretty.
Especially when she walks out of her room and Archie smiles at her and tells her she looks pretty. She tries not to blush.
"Jughead's picking me up in a minute," Betty says. "We'll meet you there, I guess."
Archie frowns. "On his motorbike?"
Betty nods. "Yeah."
Archie glances down at what she's wearing. And okay, maybe it's not the most suitable motorcycle gear, but he has a spare helmet and it's only a couple of minutes away. Jughead swears he'll never crash.
"How about we all just go in Ronnie's car?" Archie suggests. "She's coming to pick me up soon anyway."
Betty nods. "Okay."
It's not like Archie to be the sensible one, but she does have to concede he's right. She's not sure what she'd been thinking, except that it was a cute dress and that Jughead wouldn't let any harm come to her. Would he have let her get on the motorbike with her legs uncovered like that?
He says nothing about the dress when he arrives. He gives her a peck on the lips, and puts his bike in the garage when Betty tells him they're getting a ride with Veronica.
The fete is being held in the park, and there had been people around all week setting up, decorating and organising. Kevin had tried to rope Betty into helping, but she had claimed she had too much to do with the Blue and Gold.
It seems like the whole town is there, enjoying the warm weather and the spring atmosphere. Jughead takes Betty's hand as they leave the car and start wandering through the stalls of food and drink and games. Veronica and Archie walk behind them. There's a slight breeze that ruffles Betty's hair and the bottom of her dress, but even then, the day is pleasant.
The four of them grab some fries and hotdogs and find a place to sit on the grass. Betty struggles to find a position that doesn't flash her underwear to the whole world.
"I can't wait to hear what you guys have been rehearsing all week," Betty says to Veronica.
Veronica beams. "I really think we're going to give Josie and Cheryl a run for their money."
"It's not a competition though, is it?"
"Everything with Cheryl is a competition."
Jughead chews on his hot dog, not bothering to finish swallowing before he speaks. "What time are you guys performing?"
Betty looks to Archie while Veronica answers the question, wondering why he's so quiet. Her face heats up when she realises he's looking at her. More specifically, the expanse of white skin that's showing beneath the hem of her dress. She glances down, checking if he can see up it. Some sick part of her hopes he can.
"Betty, you really need to get a tan if you're going to show that much leg," Veronica says. "I feel like I'm going blind." Her voice is teasing, but she must have noticed Archie looking, otherwise why point it out?
Betty tugs at her skirt self-consciously. She meets Archie's eyes, and he flushes, knowing he's been caught, not only by Betty, but Veronica too.
"Don't listen to her, Betty," Jughead says, placing a hand on Betty's knee. Archie looks away quickly.
"I'm only joking," Veronica says. "Betty knows that. Archiekins, get me a drink, will you?"
Archie nods. "Sure," he says, getting up and heading back towards the food stalls. Veronica watches him go.
"How will he know what to get you?" Betty asks.
"He should know," Veronica shrugs.
Jughead and Betty stand in the crowd while Archie and Veronica take their places on the makeshift stage.
They sing Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper. Archie starts.
"Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you…"
Betty feels Jughead slip his hand into hers again and she looks to him with a smile. He looks serious.
"Can I talk to you for a second?" he says. Betty nods, and they weave their way to the back of the crowd.
"What's going on?" Betty asks as Veronica's voice echoes through the park.
"You say go slow. I fall behind."
"You know I trust you, right?" Jughead asks. Betty nods. "And it's not that I don't trust Archie, I swear…"
"Jug? What's going on?"
"I'm just airing my insecurities so they don't… fester," he huffs. "So you can reassure me."
"Okay…"
Archie and Veronica continue singing in the background. "If you're lost, you can look and you will find me, time after time…"
Jughead takes a deep breath. "I didn't like the way he was looking at you before."
Betty's stomach clenches. So Jughead had noticed too.
"What do you mean?" she asks.
Jughead shrugs. "He was staring at you. A few times." A few times? Betty had only noticed the once.
"He was probably just spaced out. Not thinking about where he was looking," Betty says.
Jughead shakes his head. "He was definitely looking at you. Like… like he was picturing what was under your dress."
"Watching through windows, you're wondering if I'm okay. Secrets stolen from deep inside. The drum beats out of time…"
Betty flushes. "Jug," she says, sounding much calmer than she's feeling. "If he was… and I really doubt he was, then that's all on him. There is nothing going on between me and Archie. I can't control what he looks at or what he thinks."
Jughead nods. "I know." He lets out a long breath. "So you don't think I should mention it to him?"
Betty shakes her head. "He's probably just having a dry spell with Veronica. She hasn't been around much while he's been at my place. He'd probably be distracted by any pair of legs."
Jughead nods. He seems placated. Betty only feels a little guilty. (For what? She hasn't done anything wrong, has she?)
The catch the end of the performance, and Betty is sure that she must be imagining that Archie is looking dead at her.
"If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting. Time after time."
After the performances, the fete seems to be winding down a little, and dark clouds have blocked out the sun. Cheryl approaches, hand in hand with Toni. Strange, Betty had no idea they were together, or even that Cheryl was into girls. Or Serpents, for that matter.
"I'm having a little after party at Thistlehouse if you guys want to come along," Cheryl offers.
"Sounds great!" Veronica says, at the same time Archie says, "No thanks."
They look at each other. "You go," Archie says. "I can walk home."
"Are you sure?" Veronica asks. She glances upwards. "It looks like it's about to rain."
Archie shrugs. "I can make it back in time."
"I'll walk with you," Betty says. "Jug, you want to come and get your bike?"
Jughead shakes his head, also looking somewhat dubiously at the sky. "I don't really want to ride in a storm."
"I can drop you home if you like?" Veronica offers. Jughead glances at Betty before nodding.
"Thanks," he says.
Archie gives his own cursory glance to the sky, as thunder rumbles somewhere in the distance. "Come on," he says to Betty. "We better go now if we want to make it home before it starts raining."
Betty risks a glance at Jughead. He nods again, like he's trying to convince himself there isn't anything to worry about. Betty smiles at him, trying to convince him the same.
Archie goes to leave.
"Archiekins. Wait," Veronica says, and Archie turns back. Veronica grabs him and pulls him down to kiss him. Passionately. Possessively. Betty has to look away.
Veronica lets Archie go, and she stalks off with Cheryl and Toni. Jughead gives Betty and Archie one last indecipherable look before he follows.
There's no reason for their hands to touch as they walk home. The path is perfectly wide enough for the both of them. And yet with every step, the backs of their hands brush against each other, sending goosebumps up Betty's arm.
Thunder crashes. Betty looks up.
"Do you think we'll make it?"
Archie considers. "Probably not."
Moments later, the heavens open and it begins to pour. Betty squeals and Archie laughs.
"Come on," he says. He grabs her hand and they sprint down their street towards Betty's house. They're absolutely drenched by the time they make it inside. Betty's heart is racing and she's sure the grin on her face is as wide as the one on Archie's.
Archie goes to take a step towards the stairs, but Betty grabs his arm, stopping him.
"Wait, wait!" she hisses. "Mom will kill us if we drip water all over the carpet."
Archie tilts his head. "Is she home?" he asks.
Betty shakes her head. She supposes as long as it dries before Alice gets home it will be fine. She's about to say so, but Archie is already slipping off his shoes and socks. Then he pulls his sopping shirt over his head. It falls to the floor with a splat. Betty watches, her heart in her throat, her face flaming. Archie's eyes don't leave her as he reaches for the button on his jeans. He undoes his pants and pulls them off, letting them join his shirt on the floor.
Betty lets her eyes trail over his body, the sight of him half naked making her heart pound and her knees weak. She wants to run her tongue over every inch of him.
She looks down at her own drenched dress, clinging to her every curve. She reaches for the top button. Her hands shake, whether from cold or nerves she doesn't know. She fumbles with the button, unable to get it undone.
Archie steps towards her. "Here," he says. Betty drops her hands and lets him take over. He's so close she can feel his breath, see his bare chest rise and fall. Heat radiates from his body and she wants to press herself against him. Partly for warmth, partly because she aches to touch him, to feel his body hard against hers.
He undoes the buttons on her dress slowly. She trembles as his knuckles brush over her bare skin, her breasts, her stomach, and she feels like she might die. It's excruciating to be this close to him and not be able to do anything about it.
He could stop when he gets to belly button. The dress would still come off easily. But he drops to his knees, and the dirty fantasies that arise in Betty's mind are almost too much to bear. He keeps unbuttoning her dress, revealing her pink panties. It would be so easy for him to just lean in and kiss her there. Run his tongue along her slit. God, she wants him to. Every fibre of her being yearns for him to touch her there, with his tongue, his fingers. She wants him to suck on her nipples, finger her until she can't stand it. She wants him to put his cock in her and fuck her until she can't walk.
He reaches the bottom of the dress and stands up. Betty bites her lip as he slides the dress from her shoulders and lets it fall to the floor. Her pussy pulses, desperate for attention.
"Your panties are all wet too," Archie murmurs. Betty flushes. "From the rain," Archie clarifies.
Betty looks down, barely able to make eye contact. His cock has formed a large tent in his boxers, and Betty finds herself blushing again. Fuck. Has he been thinking about the same things as she has?
She looks back up at him. "Arch," she says, her voice barely a whisper. "I wish we could—"
"Me too," he says hoarsely. "You have no idea how much self-control it's taking not to kiss you right now."
Betty's eyes flick to his lips. She feels the same way. It takes every ounce of her being not to give in to her desires.
Why are they doing this? To torture themselves?
Are they still toeing the line, or did they cross it eons ago?
Betty swallows. "We should put our clothes in the dryer."
Archie nods. They scoop up the wet clothes and throw them in the dryer. They head upstairs and Betty grabs them both towels. They head to their respective rooms and Betty peels off her damp underwear and wraps herself in the big fluffy white towel.
Then she goes back to Archie's room. He's got the towel wrapped around his waist and he's lying on his bed on his phone.
"Hey," he says when he sees Betty in the doorway. He gestures for Betty to come over, and she pads across the room and lies beside him on the bed.
She doesn't know why she didn't get dressed. Perhaps to torture herself a little more. Perhaps to torture him. Perhaps she's hoping the towel will slip and she'll accidentally reveal herself to him. She gets a thrill at the thought of it. God, she's sick.
Archie slips his hand into hers and gives it a squeeze.
"Betty," he says. "What the fuck are we doing?"
"I don't know," Betty whispers.
Archie turns on his side to face her, and Betty does the same.
"Do you want me to—" he starts. "Should I—?"
"Should you what?"
His phone rings.
"It's Veronica," he says, pulling his hand from Betty's. He answers. "Hey, what's going on?"
Betty watches him.
"Yeah, she's right here," Archie says, glancing at Betty.
He jolts upright, looking panicked.
"No!" he says. "Who told you that?... Cheryl? Fuck. No, I swear that's not what happened."
He swallows and glances at Betty.
"No… well, we kissed. And maybe—look, can we talk about this in person? I'll come pick you up… okay I'll meet you at the Pembrooke then."
Betty's stomach churns, guilt and dread eating at her. Veronica somehow found out about what happened the night of the Black Hood.
Archie hangs up, looking angry and defeated. "Cheryl saw us in the car that night. She told Veronica we fucked."
Betty feels like she might throw up.
"But we didn't."
"But we almost did."
Betty can't deny that.
"Betty…" Archie groans. He seems torn up. Guilt, probably. "I need you to tell me, before I talk to Veronica. Do you want me to fix things with her?"
Betty stares at him. What is he asking her? Whether she wants to be with him? Of course she fucking does. She's been in love with him since she was ten years old. Younger, maybe. But it's way too late for that. They can't be together. Their friends would never forgive them.
"Of course," Betty lies. "It's still salvageable. You guys weren't together when it happened."
Archie nods, his jaw tight. "Right." He gets up and Betty does the same. Betty goes for the door.
"If it goes well I probably won't be back tonight," Archie says. Betty nods.
"Good luck, then," she says. She goes to leave again.
"Betty—" Archie says. She stops, turning back one last time. "You should probably talk to Jughead before someone else does."
"Right," she nods. "Good point."
She steps out into the hallway and closes the door behind her. Time to work out what she's going to say to Jughead. What can she say to ease the blow? What does she need to do to save a relationship she's not even sure she wants to save?
