A single thought plagued him as he drove through the streets of Riverdale.
How could I be so stupid?
He had kissed Veronica.
He'd actually made out with his pal's, no matter how much of a dick Reggie could be, they were still friends, ex-girlfriend, the best friend of his own best friend, his friend.
He had kissed Veronica Lodge, while she was still mourning for a guy that would never deserve her, while he was still in somewhat of a relationship.
When they'd finally broken apart for air, the raven haired girl's eyes had widened, and she had blurted out a stumbled apology, even though she had nothing to be sorry for.
It was his fault.
He had initiated the contact.
And he still had no reason, no explanation as to why he'd kissed her in the first place.
Parking the car a safe distance, he let the door fall open and slam shut behind him, his pace quickening as he walked the three blocks to her house.
He needed to see her.
Whether he was going to admit to his most recent lip-lock remained to be seen.
What was he supposed to say? He and Grundy weren't in a relationship, at least, not the type of relationship he had pictured himself having when he was younger.
He couldn't even bring himself to call her by her first name.
He tried to force himself to think about the older woman, every teenage boy's fantasy, he supposed, but only one girl came to mind.
A girl he could never have.
A girl, that up until that very moment, he hadn't even realized he wanted.
Archie was surprised to find that her own car was no parked across the street from her house, nor was the porch light on.
He banged on the door, once, twice, three times, but there was no answer.
"Ms. Grundy?" He called.
Again, nothing.
A pit settled in his stomach.
Archie rushed towards the nearest window, peering inside. The house was completely empty.
Ms. Grundy was gone.
And he knew exactly who was to blame.