Chapter 2:

First Day

As Princess Annabelle rides into town on Scarlet, she looks all around; the town is small, quaint, and odd. 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: something 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 moderately full; the sound of a grill sizzling in the back and glasses clinking permeates the room. Annabelle paces 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 her and steps forward. She smiles, "Hello, welcome to Pop's. What can I get for you?" She grabs a menu and hands it to Annabelle. She open it, scanning the items listed.

"I want a chicken strip basket with fries and a coke," Annabelle answers. She hands the menu back to the waitress, who turns around to put in the order. As Annabelle 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. Annabelle 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's gone, the boy turns to Annabelle and smiles.

"Hi," he says.

"Hi," the princess echoes.

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

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

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

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

"I'm on summer vacation. I was getting bored where I was from, so I wanted to have an adventure, to do something fun." Annabelle 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?" the princess beams.

"Yeah," says Archie.

"Awesome. I love movies!" Anna exclaims

"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. Annabelle turns to Veronica.

"Archie seems nice," says Annabelle.

"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 see the looks you two were giving each other."

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

"Okay. Whatever." Veronica smirks. The princess 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 Annabelle.

"Me," answers Veronica.

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

"Oh, okay," Annabelle says. Then she finishes her lunch. Afterward, 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 Veronica.

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

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

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

"Sure," answers Annabelle. 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.

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

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

After the movie, Archie drives Annabelle back to the hotel. She gets out and thanks Veronica for inviting her. The princess 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.