Chapter 2:

First Day

As Anna drives into town, she looks all around; the town is small and quaint. There's a school, a cluster of houses, and a hotel. A diner sits to the right, along with a trailer park. A large mansion is far off to the left. A strange sense of dread washes over her: soemthing in this town doesn't feel right.

A rumbling in her stomach prompts her to turn into the diner. She pulls into a parking spot beside an expensive-looking red car. She unbuckles and steps out. She walks towards the diner, and goes inside. The place is moderetly full; the sound of a grill sizzeling in the back and glasses clinkling permeates the room. I pace towards the counter and take a seat.

A tall, kind-looking girl with raven-black hair in a ponytail wearing a yellow waitress uniform with a white apron notices me and steps forward. She smiles, "Hello, welcome to Pop's. What can I get for you?" She grabes a meanu and hands it to me. I open it, scanning the items listed.

"I want a chicken strip basket with fries and a coke." Anna answers. She hands the meanu back to the waitress, who turns around to put in the order. As Anna waits for her food, the door to the diner opens. She turns her head, and her heart stops. A tall, redheaded boy walks in. He's wearing a green T-shirt, jeans, and white sneakers. He's also wearing a yellow-and-blue letterman jacket with a 'R' stitched on the right.

The boy walks over and takes a seat next to her. Anna can't help the blush creeping across her face. He looks so cute.

The waitress brings Anna's food and drink and sets them in front of her. She takes a drink and starts eating. She hears the waitress talking to the boy.

"Why, Archiekiens, what brings you to Pop's so late in the day?"

"Hey, Ronnie, I just want a strawberry milkshake with extra whipped cream," the boy says.

The girl nods. "You got it, handsome." She goes to make the milkshake. While she'd gone, the boy turns to Anna and smiles.

"Hi," he says.

"Hi," Anna says.

"I haven't seen you in Riverdale before. Are you new here?" the boy asks.

"Yeah, I just got here. My name's Anna." Anna offers her hand.

"I'm Archie. It's nice to meet you." Archie shakes her hand. The waitress, whom Anna finds out named Veronica, returns with Archie's milkshake. She sets it down.

"So, Anna, is it?" Veronica asks. Anna nods her head. "What bring you to Riverdale?"

"I'm on summer vacatio. I was getting bored where I'm from, so my mom suggested I'd get out of the house and drive somewhere new. I drove and drove until I ended up here." Anna says.

"Cool. Well, here in Riverdale, we have lots of things to do. We have a beautiful lake where you can swim or fish, shopping, or a drive-in movie theater," says Veronica.

"A drive-in?" Anna beams.

"Yeah," says Archie.

"Aweome. I love movies!" Anna says.

"You do? That's great. Maybe we could go sometime, if you want?" Veronica offers.

"That'll be great." Anna says. Archie finishes his shake and pays for it.

"Well, I gotta get going and help my dad at the constriction site. Catch you two later." Archie leaves. Anna turns to Veronica.

"Archie seems nice," says Anna.

"He is." Veronica agrees. She gives Anna a teasing look. "And he's hot, too."

"What?" Anna blushes.

"Oh, come on. I'm not blind or deaf. I could clearly see the looks you two were giving each other."

"No, no way. I'm not looking for a boyfriend." Anna shakes her head.

"Okay. Whatever." Veronica smirks. Anna then leans over. "Um, just for future reference, is he single?"

"Yes, he is. He just broke up with his girlfriend three months ago. For future reference, of course." Veronica smiles.

"Really? Who was his girlfriend?" asks Anna.

"Me," answers Veronica.

"Oh, oh my, I'm so sorry. I had no idea." Anna stammers. Veronica gives her a light laugh. "It's okay. Beisdes, I've moved on."

"Oh, okay." Anna says. Then she finishes her lunch. Afterwards, she exits the diner and gets back in her car. She drives over to the hotel and pays for a room. She gets settled in.

Later that night, she takes a walk through town. It's quiet. As she's walking, she runs into Verpnica.

"Hey, you." Veronica says. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, nothing; just taking a stroll through town." Anna says.

"Hey, there's a great movie playing tonight at the drive-in. Do you want to come watch it with Archie and I?" asks Veronica.

"Sure," answers Anna. She and Veronica head towards the Twilight Drive-in.. Archie sits in his car.

"Hey, look who I found." Veronica calls out. They get in the car.

"Anna, glad you could join us." Archie says.

"Me, too." Anna agrees. As the previews roll, Anna starts to feel a connecting forming between her and Archie. They sit close together, their hands almost touching. Veronica watches them, smilingly knowingly. She notices their connection, too. Anna and Archie slowly lean in and kiss. They pull away.

After the movie, Archie drives Anna back to the hotel. She gets out and thanks Veronica for inviting her. Anna goes to her room and shuts the door. She then takes a bath and gets ready for bed. She lies down and stares up at the ceiling, eyelids growing heavy.

It's starting to become the best summer ever! she thinks before drifting off to sleep.