One Month Later

"Betty!" Chic snapped, pounding on the door to his guest room. "Would you hurry up? You're not the only one who has Fourth of July plans, you know!"

"I wouldn't call a work party where I'll be taking drink orders and checking coats Fourth of July plans." Betty replied with a laugh. "Five minutes."

"You said that five minutes ago!"

"Well, this time I mean it."

Chic let out a groan.

"Who needs a coat in the summer?" He demanded, after a moment.

She giggled. "Famous people?"

Betty's reflection smirked back at her. She had been with her brother since the second week of June, and despite the months of absence, Chic hadn't stepped foot in Riverdale since Thanksgiving, making up excuse after excuse as to why he couldn't return for Christmas, the two had easily fallen back into a familiar routine, fighting over the one bathroom in his two bedroom apartment, arguing over what radio station to listen to, Chich had even held her down to fart on her several times over the passing weeks, much to her annoyance and his amusement, but she wouldn't have traded it for anything. Being around Chic brought her back to simpler times, when both her siblings still lived at home, and were there to shield her from their mother.

Chic and Polly had asked about Alice once, when Polly had come down to visit the weekend before last. They had sat in the living room, watching a black and white silent film, Polly's turn to pick, and drinking wine. They had only given her a semi-disapproving look when she wasn't drunk or even the slightest bit giddy after two-and-a-half glasses, but she knew deep down they understood.

After a long moment of silence, Polly had looked her in the eye and blurted out a heartfelt apology that seemed to come out of nowhere, Chic joining in seconds later. They both told her how sorry they were for leaving her behind, their words, not her own. As much as she had missed them, she had also understood their need to escape the chaos that was the Cooper family. It was something Betty had been dreaming about for years.

And then, the most amazing thing happened.

Without breaking their intense eye contact, Polly had asked her to move in with her after graduation, to leave Riverdale and their parents far, far behind.

Betty had agreed without hesitation.

"Elizabeth Cooper!"

"I'm coming!" Betty snapped, still grinning.

She took one last look at her reflection.

Her black dress, borrowed from Veronica's closet last minute, and at her friend's insistence, made her legs look longer.

After countless lessons, and critiques, more like criticisms from Cheryl, she had finally perfected the art of doing her eyeliner.

There was just one thing she wasn't quite sure about. Her ponytail.

Oddly enough, it was something her friends had debated on before. While both Veronica and Cheryl had been in favor of her trying a new style from time to time, Kevin had defended the up do, calling it iconic.

She was in LA now, a far cry from the town with pep. Maybe it was time she reinvent herself a little. Even the smallest change would do, so she reached up, freeing her hair from its trademark pony tail. Golden curls framed her face.

There. She thought. Much better.

Just as she reached for her clutch, which also belonged to Veronica, Betty was sure more than half the clothes currently spilling out of her suitcase belonged to Veronica, her phone began to buzz.

Archie's name flashed across the screen.

Betty ignored the call with an apologetic look. They had barely spoken since she left, a few texts here and there, and as much as she wanted to talk to him, she really did have to go. Chic was waiting for her.

Her phone went off again.

Archie never called more than once, not unless it was an emergency.

Suddenly growing nervous, she accepted the call on the first ring, pressing it to her ear. Taking a deep breath, she tried to sound as normal as possible.

"Archie." She greeted.

There was no response.

"Arch?" She asked, her concern seeping through. "You there?"

He let out a shaking sigh.

"Archie." Betty whispered. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Betty." Archie began.

"Jesus, Betty, how long does it take to get ready?" Chic barked, barging into the room without knocking. "I swear, you're worse than Polly... Betty?"

She didn't look at him, her gaze glued to the blank wall that she had teased him about painting the brightest shade of pink she could find only days earlier.

"Betty." He said again, slowly dropping down onto the mattress beside her.

His hand landed on her shoulder.

"Lizzie?" Chic questioned, the nickname she had tried to use in the first grade for about a week until she decided that there were too many Lizzie's in the world, and not enough Betty's, slipping out like a bad habit. Usually, she would sulk, and tell him not to call her that because it was closer to the name Elizabeth than Betty ever had been.

Now, she finally turned to face her brother, a faraway look in her eyes.

"What happened?" Chic asked.

"I..." Her voice cracked, and she took a few deep breaths, attempting to regain her composure. "I need to go home."