Betty leaned against the wall outside the boy's locker room while she waited for Archie. So far their runs had been a fun time with playful banter and flirty looks.
Today he seemed quiet, almost like he wished to be anywhere else, and now he was taking longer to get dressed than she did, when he usually just dried his hair and threw on a pair of jeans and shirt.
"Hey, Cooper, who are you stalking?" Jughead approached.
"Funny," Betty gave him a pointed look, "I'm waiting for Archie."
"Veronica and I were right a couple of weeks ago when we said that his movie night was a date?"
"Yeah, kind of," Betty admitted, "It was kind of a date, but we both agreed that it didn't count because he didn't ask me properly."
"So where does that leave things between you two?" Jughead asked.
"We are dating," Betty admitted, "Kind of."
"Kind of?" Jughead asked.
"Yeah, we're still figuring things out, but we're more than friends now," Betty snapped at him, "Can you get in there and see what's taking so long?"
"Do I have to?"
"Do you want me to tell Veronica about your Melissa Joan Hart phase?"
"You're bluffing," he eyed her suspiciously.
"Try me," Betty continued to stare him down.
"I'll be right back," Jughead disappeared into the locker room.
Finally emerging with Jughead a step behind, Betty reached for Archie's hand, "Are you okay, Arch? You've been really out of sorts this morning."
"I'm sorry," Archie shook his head.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Yes, I do. Can we?" he motioned towards the Blue & Gold.
"Yeah, c'mon." Betty pulled him along.
"You're welcome," Jughead called after them.
"Talk to me," Betty ushered him towards the sofa in her office after closing the door so they could have some privacy. "You've been like a zombie all morning."
"Yesterday, Miss Grundy called me in for a meeting," Archie started.
"Is she the new music teacher?" Betty asked.
"Yeah, I thought I was doing well in class, so the meeting threw me," Archie admitted, "She called my music derivative and uninspiring. She said I needed to work a lot harder if I'm going to pass her class...Betts, what am I going to do? I have to maintain a C average to stay on the football team."
"Have you talked to your dad about this? He might be able to work something out with her," Betty said.
"I'm a little embarrassed about the whole thing," Archie admitted.
"Arch, be serious," Betty said, "This is your dad. There's nothing you can tell him that would ever be embarrassing. Unless you count the time he walked in on you in the bath-"
"Why do I tell you things?" Archie laughed.
"Because we share all the most embarrassing stories," Betty grinned, "You know I'd never hold them against you. They stay locked in the bestie vault. They only come out in teasing moments when it's just the two of us."
"Thank God," Archie put his arms around her waist loosely, "Thank you."
"You are welcome," Betty smiled, "Don't worry. I'm sure this music teacher is just trying to get the best out of you."
"I feel like there's something more," he admitted, "Before she took over, I was killing it in the class. The teacher was raving about my work. He even claimed I had a future in the music industry, and now there is this complete change."
"Hmm," Betty frowned, "Well, talk to your dad. There might be a way to figure this out and forget the embarrassment, okay? This is your dad. He loves you."
"Yeah, that's a good idea," he bobbed his head, "I'll tell him tonight after football practice."
"Good," she gave his hand a squeeze.
"Sorry for being such a bummer this morning," he gave her a sheepish grin.
"I forgive you," Betty smiled, "See you later?"
"Absolutely," he nodded.
-d-d-d-d-d-
"Betty, what are you doing?" Cheryl found Betty after school at the computer pecking away at the keyboard.
"Continuing our investigation into the backgrounds of our teachers," Betty said.
"Any dirt?"
"Coach Clayton is signed up for a dating app," Betty giggled.
"What's all this?" Cheryl frowned at a pile of printouts.
"I can't find a picture of the new music teacher anywhere, so I fed her general description into the computer and it started spitting those matches out."
Cheryl picked up a file, "Landry, Marie-Genevieve."
"She was the first. Apparently Grundy's description fits a lot of women."
"Why don't we just get a picture of the music teacher? We can hack into the police department's database and match it to anyone in their system," Cheryl thought out loud as she flipped through page after page. "If she's got a record, she'll pop."
"Great idea, but how do we hack into the system?" Betty scoffed, "I'm no hacker."
"Aren't you besties with Kevin Keller?" Cheryl replied, "You don't think his daddy has home access to his work?"
"I'd have to explain why I want it first," Betty reminded her.
"Right," Cheryl frowned, "Olivia Labauve. That's a pretty name. Since Grundy's new, why doesn't Blue & Gold do an interview with her?"
"She declined," Betty shook her head. "I tried her old schools. Her photo wasn't available, and the only Geraldine Grundy I found on the web was some old woman who died like five years ago."
"Want me to run surveillance on her?" Cheryl asked.
"We'd still have to explain to Kevin why I need to match her picture to his father's police database," Betty leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, "I'm not really the type to use my friends in ways that may be illegal."
"Then don't tell him," Cheryl shrugged, "Just get us remote access. We can handle the rest from here."
"Cher, no," Betty held firm, "If this comes back on Sheriff Keller, he could get fired. I'm not doing it."
"Fine, I'll bust into the police station," Cheryl threw up her hands dramatically.
"You're going to break into a police station to gain access to their database?" Betty raised a brow, "And when you get caught?"
"Oh, please, it's Riverdale PD. It's not like we're dealing with seasoned professionals. They make Barney Fife look competent."
"Cute," Betty frowned at her.
Cheryl went to another file, "Oh my God."
"What?"
"This one, Serafina Gering, she's in the files from a police department in Kansas because she was suspected of sleeping with one of her students," Cheryl said.
"Ew," Betty cringed, "What is with these morally deranged teachers taking advantage of their naive students?"
"I don't know," Cheryl flipped through the file, "Damn, no picture."
"Cher, you don't think," Betty started and paused.
"Oh ew," Cheryl got Betty's train of thought immediately, "It's bad enough that the driver's ed teacher tried it with Jason, but now we might have a morally bankrupt music teacher as well? Are these all the files that spit out when you put Grundy's description into the computer?"
"Yeah," Betty bobbed her head.
"Maybe she's changed her appearance," Cheryl thought out loud.
"Could be," Betty said, opening the last one that had come out. The name was Gemma Savanna. "Well, there's no picture of her face, but there is one of an identifying mark."
"What is it?" Cheryl looked over Betty's shoulder, "A tattoo?"
"Yeah," Betty said, "I've seen this symbol before."
"Where?" Cheryl asked.
"Grundy carries a notebook with her all the time," Betty stated, "I remember seeing this drawing on the notebook."
"Where did this file come from?"
"Cherry Creek PD," Betty said, "I wonder if we'd get any information showing her photo around."
"We need someone good with a camera," Cheryl frowned.
"Josie's bandmate," Betty said, "Val. She's good with a camera."
"I'll see if I can work my magic and get her to take a picture on the DL," Cheryl stated, "I'm still going to the police department to run this Gemma Savanna name through their database. If they've got a file, they've got to have a picture of her too."
"Shift change is at five. If I can stall the night dispatcher, you'll have a window of time," Betty nodded.
"Piece of cake," Cheryl bobbed her head, "What brought about this sudden need to do background checks on all our teachers anyways?"
"After you found Jason's journal, I went looking for Polly's. Remember the drama teacher who took a powder just before the end of Polly's freshman year?"
"Vaguely," Cheryl stated. "Where are you going with this?"
"Apparently, he hit on one of his very straight students," Betty said, "Riverdale's hiring practices need some tweaking."
"To put it mildly," Cheryl rolled her eyes.
"You should wear a wig tomorrow and some glasses," Betty said, "Your hair is a dead giveaway."
"Don't worry about me," Cheryl replied, "I've been getting into secure buildings all over town for months now."
"But different hair is a good shield," Betty pointed out, "If the sheriff sees brown hair, he won't look twice."
"Fair point," Cheryl shrugged.
"I'll make a list for you," Betty said, "Take it with you and run as many names as you can. Then use the general email address at the station and send the files to the one we have set up for messages we don't want people seeing."
"Done," Cheryl nodded.
"Just remember to go into the sent folder and erase anything you send," Betty picked up her bag, "And then into the trash folder and really erase it."
"Right. Where are you going?"
"Archie's," Betty said, "I want to find out how his conversation with his dad went. Then I want to know more about his music class."
"Call me if you get anything helpful," Cheryl told her.
"Will do," Betty said over her shoulder.
"Wait, Betty, is there something going on with Archie and this teacher that has suddenly inspired your research?" Cheryl called out.
"I'll let you know," Betty said.
"That's not an answer," Cherl called after her.
"Truth? I don't know yet," Betty said, "But Archie was rocking the class until Grundy took over. Now all of a sudden he's in danger of failing. I realize all teachers are different, but this is a bit extreme."
"Can't we just wait until the semester is over and change his grade so he doesn't fail?" Cheryl asked, "That's easier than busting into a police station on some random goose chase because of a camera shy teacher."
"A camera shy teacher I can't find a trace of anywhere," Betty pointed out, "Even camera shy people have some kind of footprint."
"Fair point," Cheryl conceded.
"Cher, if you want, I'll go in and you can stall the night dispatcher," Betty said.
"No, it'd make more sense if you were the one hanging around looking for Kevin," Cheryl said, "All you have to do is say you thought you were meeting Kevin, and no one will think twice."
"Thanks," Betty managed a smile.
"It's what partners-in-crime do for each other," Cheryl shrugged.
"Don't stay late. Go have dinner with Nana," Betty advised.
"Yeah, maybe I will," Cheryl bobbed her head as she continued to flip through Betty's research.
"Good," Betty said, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye," Cheryl nodded.
-d-d-d-d-d-
Betty knocked on the door to Archie's house and waited.
"Hey, Betty," Fred greeted her.
"Hi, Mr. Andrews," Betty fidgeted nervously in the entryway, "I was on my way home, and I thought maybe Archie and I could study together for a bit for tomorrow's bio test. Am I interrupting anything?"
"No, we're finished with dinner and our conversation," Fred smiled and let her in, "Arch? You have company."
Archie came out of the kitchen, smiling when he saw Betty, "Hey."
"Hey," Betty's smile widened. The weight Archie had been carrying all day appeared to have been lifted.
"Betty says you have a bio test to study for," Fred gave his son a Cheshire grin, "Is that code for making out nowadays?"
"No, and to prove it, we'll study at the dining room table," Betty smiled.
"We will?" Archie frowned.
Fred laughed a little, "Go upstairs. Just leave the door open, alright?"
Betty snickered as Archie grabbed her hand and pulled her up to his room.
"How'd things go?" Betty sat on his bed.
"Dad is going to request a meeting with Ms. Grundy and Weatherbee first thing in the morning," Archie replied. "He's obviously not happy with what I told him, but he doesn't seem mad at me. He's more mad at Ms. Grundy."
"See, I told you," Betty smiled.
"Yeah, you were right," Archie nodded.
"So, besides this, what kind of teacher is she?"
"She's okay," he shrugged, "I've honestly been a bit bored. What she's teaching seems basic for the class we're in. It's almost like she doesn't know anything about music composition."
"She's a musician though, right? I'm assuming she plays an instrument."
"Yeah, I think she plays the piano and the cello," Archie nodded, "Why?"
"Just wondering," Betty smiled, "She refused to do an interview with the paper, so I don't know anything about her."
"Isn't an interview with the Blue & Gold almost mandatory for new teachers?" Archie asked.
"I don't know that it's mandatory, but a new teacher has never turned us down before," Betty replied.
"Weird," Archie frowned, "You know she offered to tutor me."
"Really?" Betty was surprised.
"Yeah, but she suggested the sessions take place at her house."
"Really?" Betty felt her stomach jump a little.
"That's when I started to worry."
"You are right to worry," Betty replied, "It's entirely unprofessional for a teacher to meet a student in their home."
"That's what I thought too," Archie bobbed his head.
"Do me a favor? If you can, avoid being alone with her," Betty said, "Something about this whole situation is giving me the wrong feeling."
"Are you jealous?" he managed a teasing smile.
Betty shoved at his shoulder.
"Sorry," Archie said, "I'll do my best."
"Good," Betty pulled out her biology book, "Study time."
"I didn't think you were serious about studying," Archie grinned, "I mean, we have to keep the door open, but that doesn't mean we can't kiss a little."
"I'll make you a deal," Betty said, "We'll go over the practice questions and for every question you get right, you get a kiss."
"If that's the incentive, I might ace all my courses," he gave her his most charming smile.
Betty giggled and opened to the practice questions, slipping her shoes off and leaning against Archie's pillows, "Ready?"
"I hope so," he wagged a brow.
"Viruses that target bacteria…." Betty started.
-d-d-d-d-
Betty peered around the corner of the building and clocked the night clerk's car pulling into the parking lot as the day clerk slipped into her car.
"Okay, you're clear. I'm going to stall as long as I can. Be fast," Betty said into her comm set.
"You say this like I have no clue what I'm doing," Cheryl scoffed.
"I'm sorry. I don't usually run interference for criminal activity," Betty frowned.
"Just speak slowly and clearly," Cheryl told her, "You're just Kevin's friend, looking for him. Nothing out of the ordinary about that."
"Yeah, fine," Betty inhaled nervously.
"You said you're on a first name basis with these people," Cheryl reminded her.
"I know," Betty nodded, "Here I go."
Betty crossed the lot, frowning at her phone as she 'bumped' into Sarah Jenkins, the night clerk.
"Oh God," Betty said as Sarah's belongings scattered everywhere.
"Betty, you need to be more careful," Sarah scrambled to get her belongings together.
"I'm so sorry," Betty 'accidentally on purpose' kicked a few items further away, "I totally wasn't looking where I was going. I'm such a klutz sometimes."
"What brings you to the station?" Sarah asked as she went after a tube of chapstick that rolled under her vehicle.
"Looking for Kev," Betty replied, "I accidentally took his notes from biology. I wanted to return them. He wasn't home, so I figured he might be here."
"I think he's having dinner with his dad tonight," Sarah smiled, "Sheriff likes to check in with him once in a while. Make sure he's doing okay."
"He's a good dad," Betty smiled.
"He tries," Sarah smiled, "I can't imagine it's easy without Kevin's mother around."
"Yeah, Kev's pretty bummed that her deployment got extended," Betty frowned.
"How's school going? You're still doing the newspaper thing, right?" Sarah asked.
"Yes, I am," Betty nodded, "How's Punky?"
"Not happy with me," Sarah said, "I had to take him in for shots today. He's home curled up in his crate."
"Ah, poor little guy," Betty frowned, "He's just the cutest thing."
"You and Kevin should stop by and play with him this weekend when I'm off. He loves all the attention," Sarah replied.
"We'll see," Betty said, "I have a lot of studying to do. Speaking of, I should see if Kev's inside."
"I'm heading that way," Sarah slung her bag over her shoulder.
"Uh, yeah," Betty stammered as she suddenly pulled her phone from her pocket like she got a text message, "Oh, crap, it's my mom. I'm late. She's going to have my head. She's got some weird rule all of a sudden that we're supposed to have meals together like one big happy family."
"If I see Kevin, I'll tell him you have his notes," Sarah offered.
"It's not necessary," Betty fumbled for a response, "I'll text him. You know us kids. We text more than we converse verbally."
"Alright, Sweetheart," Sarah nodded, "Let me know about this weekend."
"I will," Betty nodded as the door shut behind Sarah, "Cher? Incoming. Get out."
"I'm out," Cheryl was leaning against the wall where they had agreed to meet up.
"Did you get out clean?" Betty asked.
"No," Cheryl frowned, "Kevin spotted me. You know for a guy who has no interest in women, he pays far too much attention to the way we walk."
"Probably checking out our footwear," Betty replied, "Did you talk to him?"
"No," Cheryl stated, "But we'd better come up with an alibi because he's going to catch me tomorrow at school."
"Easy," Betty said, "You were down here checking on the progress of your brother's murder case. You wore the wig because you didn't want to deal with any reporters that may be lurking outside."
"Betty Cooper, you sly fox," Cheryl grinned, "You just came up with that on the spot. You're an evil genius in the making."
"And really, Tom should thank you for the wig thing," Betty smiled, "A reporter spots the identifiable red hair of a Blossom walking into the station, they're going to start wondering if the venerable Sheriff is holding back."
"That sounds like your mother's reporting influence," Cheryl replied.
"Yeah, well, she's been doing it for so long, I sort of have her in my head," Betty shrugged.
"Yeah, I know the feeling," Cheryl nodded.
"Just remember the word 'venerable' tomorrow when Kevin corners you," Betty said.
"Right," Cheryl agreed, "Nana had an idea for us and our Thanksgiving weekend."
"I'm listening," Betty said.
"There's a circus arts school in Centerville. She thought it might help with our balance if we took a weekend class."
"Mom's gonna want a family dinner," Betty replied.
"We'll leave right after," Cheryl replied, "Things start first thing Friday morning. We leave after turkey and get there late at night."
"Cover story?" Betty asked.
"What's Kevin doing that weekend?"
"He's getting on the train after school on Wednesday to see his grandparents."
"So, if you were to tell your mom you'd be there all weekend, she'd be none the wiser?"
"Too risky," Betty shook her head, "If she runs into the Sheriff, I'm screwed."
"Don't you have some relative a distance away that you'd like to spend time with but Alice can't stand?" Cheryl responded sarcastically.
"Yeah, all of them," Betty quipped, "I could tell her I want to visit Great Aunt Celia, she'll never suspect a thing."
"She won't call your aunt?" Cheryl asked.
"She hates, and I mean hates, Celia," Betty shook her head, "She's my Grandma Smith's younger sister. If I ask her to cover for me, she'll do it and never ask me any questions."
"Your family, your funeral," Cheryl replied, "Do whatever you need."
"Archie's a different story," Betty frowned, "I could tell him I've maybe got a lead on Polly, but I don't want my parents knowing."
"And if he offers to come with?"
"I tell him spending the weekend with his dad is more important since Mary's not around anymore."
"He's not going to like that," Cheryl replied, "Especially with you two more than friends now. He's going to want to spend time together."
"Maybe I'll use Great Aunt Celia for him too," Betty sighed, "His dad would never let him go with me to visit her."
"Who is this woman?" Cheryl asked.
"I'll introduce you one day," Betty promised, "But you can't tell Nana. I think Penelope had a run in with her back in the day. Nana would remember her."
"Keeping that in mind," Cheryl replied, "Are you in with the circus training?"
"If I can get Mom to agree to let me visit Celia and get Celia to cover for me, I'm in. What are you and Nana using as a cover?"
"Nana's younger sister is state side for the first time in years. We're going to visit."
"I didn't even know your nana has a younger sister," Betty admitted.
"Aunt Vi's the family vagabond," Cheryl smiled.
"Someday we'll have to introduce the families," Betty replied, "My Great Aunt Celia is sort of the same. She's never really wanted to be tied down, and she doesn't like to conform to what society expects of a person."
"I like her already," Cheryl smiled.
"Did you get anywhere with the names?" Betty asked.
"I sent the files to our hidden email account," Cheryl replied. "We'll have to check them out."
"This Grundy chick offered to tutor Archie at her house," Betty told Cheryl.
"Damn," Cheryl winced, "This bitch isn't messing around. He's not going, is he?"
"No," Betty shook her head, "He told Fred. Fred's going to speak to the principal. That's clearly inappropriate."
"Good," Cheryl said.
"Careful, Cher, people might think you care," Betty teased.
"You know, contrary to popular belief, I don't dislike Archie. He doesn't deserve what we think she has planned."
"I'm not going to lie. I'm a bit freaked out by the entire situation," Betty admitted, "And what if she decides to move on to someone else? That's not going to end well for anyone."
"We'll figure her game out and get her out of town before she can prey on someone else," Cheryl promised.
"That tattoo is still bothering me," Betty said, "I've seen it somewhere besides that notebook."
"Check our files," Cheryl suggested, "Maybe you'll find it there."
"Yeah," Betty bobbed her head.
"Alright, my adrenaline rush has passed. I'm going to head home and chill. Are you going back to the lair?"
"The lair? Is that what we're calling it? I thought it was just the training facility," Betty laughed.
"Funny," Cheryl said, "Are you heading home?"
"No, I'm going to the Pembrooke and visit Veronica. Hermione's working tonight," Betty stated.
"Alright," Cheryl stated, "Tomorrow's our day off, so enjoy."
"You, too," Betty nodded, "Night."