Betty and Archie were snuggled together in the lounge at school the day before Thanksgiving. Yet again Archie was trying to plan it out so they could spend the holiday weekend together with her aunt.
"Arch, I'm bummed too, but I can't just blow off my aunt," Betty laughed, "We can have pie together at Pop's when I get back to town."
"It's not the same," Archie frowned as he gave her temple a kiss, "Why are you going anyway?"
"I haven't seen Celia in a year, and it's not like she's getting any younger," Betty reminded him, "It's one weekend. I'll be home on Sunday."
"That's four whole days," Archie moaned.
"Not even. I leave after dinner on Thursday, and I'll be home on Sunday afternoon. It's more like two days. You'll live," she pecked at his lips.
"That's just nauseating," Jughead plopped down next to them.
"And good morning to you, Jug," Betty smiled until she recognized the haggardness of his appearance, "Rough night?"
"Yeah, try taking a bath in the sink of the guy's bathroom and tell me how stellar your night is," Jughead quipped.
"Wait, back up," Betty looked at him in confusion. "Why would you take a bath in the guy's bathroom?"
"Long story," Jughead shrugged.
"Short version," Archie requested..
"Living with my dad isn't easy right now," Jughead admitted, "So I'm not."
"Where are you staying?" Betty asked.
"Random places," Jughead shrugged, "Been spending the last couple of nights here."
"Here...in the school?" Betty sputtered, "Jug, why didn't you say something sooner?"
"Being homeless is not something I'm really wild about sharing, Betts," Jughead said.
Archie looked at his friend, "You're coming home with me for at least the weekend."
"Nah, I'm good here," Jughead stated, "I busted into the cafeteria kitchen last night. That place is stocked. I'm good for a month."
"You're not spending Thanksgiving here by yourself," Archie shook his head, "If I have to drag you, I will."
Jughead rolled his eyes.
"I mean it, Jug," Archie stared him down.
"C'mon, Jug, do it for me," Betty batted her lashes, "I'll feel so much better if I know you're there with Arch."
"Well, in that case, of course, Arch, I'll come home for your good all-American Thanksgiving meal, and then we'll paint ourselves a Norman Rockwell painting," Jughead snorted.
"If I was closer, I'd kick you," Betty frowned at his sarcastic wit.
"Would you? With heels?" Jughead gave her a grin.
"Don't be gross," Betty told him.
"Jug, you can't tell me you have a better offer," Archie replied, "Dad's not the greatest cook in the world, but he orders a mean meal from Pops. We'll have plenty."
"What kind of pie?" Jughead asked.
"Pumpkin, of course," Archie snorted.
"I'll be there," Jughead nodded.
Betty and Archie traded relieved looks as Veronica bounced in, "This weekend is going to suck."
"Everyone is just so cheery this morning," Betty remarked.
"What's there to be happy about?" Veronica plopped down on the sofa next to Jughead and pouted, "Mother is working, and Betty is abandoning me. I'll be eating turkey all by myself."
"You could always join Arch and Jug at the Andrews table," Betty offered.
"Absolutely," Archie nodded, "Veronica, we'd be happy to have you."
"Yeah, it won't be at all pathetic to have a pity meal with you...no offense, Archie," Veronica continued pouting.
"I'll be there, too," Jughead said, "We can be pathetic together."
"Way to sell it," Betty chuckled.
"C'mon, Ronnie," Archie said, "Be a pal. My girlfriend is deserting me for the weekend. I need all the friends I can get."
"I'm still feeling the pity invite," Veronica frowned, "But it's better to be with some friends than totally alone."
"I feel you," Jughead patted her shoulder.
"Good," Betty turned to Archie, "Now you'll have company, and I won't have to listen to any more schemes."
"Schemes?" Veronica perked up, "I'm up for a good scheme. Hit me."
"No," Betty said before Archie could speak up, "You are not risking your dad grounding you or worse to join me."
"Oh, you want to sneak out and join Betty at her aunt's," Veronica frowned, "I'm not helping with that."
"I'd help, but then I'd be alone with your dad. That's uncomfortable to even think about," Jughead replied.
"Whatever scheme you cook up will be seen through immediately by your dad," Betty told him.
"She's not wrong," Jughead laughed, "You're entirely too straight laced to pull anything over on him."
"Fine, I'll be good," Archie grumbled.
Betty leaned close and whispered, "You'll be rewarded."
"Ew," Veronica reacted.
"Nauseating, right?" Jughead laughed.
s-s-s-s-s-s-s
"Have you decided if you're going to brave the crowds at the mall and do some Black Friday shopping?" Betty asked as they walked along the platform towards the train. She could feel Archie slowing his pace as they got closer to the train.
"Guys don't go shopping in mobs like that," Archie told her, "Besides, what makes you think I need to shop?"
"Eleven years of knowing you," Betty smiled, "You always wait until the last minute to shop."
"Is that a hint that you want something that doesn't come from a gas station this year?" he chuckled.
"It would be nice," she grinned, "Not that I didn't like the oil funnel you got me last year."
"Message received," Archie grinned, tightening his grip a little as they got within earshot of the train station and could hear the sound of locomotives.
"Arch, I'm not leaving forever," she reminded him.
"Four days feels like it right now," he admitted as he set her bag at his feet.
"Not even four days, remember?" Betty smiled.
"Right. You're going to text me every day, right?"
"If I have cell reception, yes," she smiled.
"I wish you weren't going to see your aunt," Archie frowned.
"I thought you liked Celia," Betty said.
"I do. I just don't like that she lives in a whole other town that you need to take a train to get to," Archie said.
"It's better that she gets distance from my mom," Betty said, "After everything that happened to my mom's parents, Celia couldn't look at my mom and not see my grandma."
"I get it. I still hate that it's so far," Archie sighed.
"You're going to have Jug and Veronica to keep you entertained," Betty reminded him, "You'll hardly have time to miss me."
"Doubtful," Archie snorted.
"I'll be home on Sunday and since my parents will be at work, maybe I could convince someone special to pick me up?" Betty smiled.
"Are you kidding me? I'd stay here at the train station all weekend if I could," Archie grinned.
"Well, don't, because I like having a boyfriend I don't see just at school or out our windows," Betty told him.
"You're worth the risk," he told her as he pressed his lips to hers in a slow kiss and then pressed his forehead to hers, "Now that I know how it feels, it feels like we should have started kissing a lot sooner than we did."
Betty gave him a smile that both warmed his heart and filled his soul. He was so into her it was hard to think about spending any time away from her.
"I'll be home Sunday," she promised, "Monday, after school, we'll go get that pie at Pop's, okay?"
"Deal," he heaved her bag onto his shoulder again as the final call for her train was made on the overhead intercom. Betty stepped onto the train and leaned down to grab her bag from him, leaning down lower to give him one final kiss.
"Sunday," she smiled, "Have fun over the weekend, okay? Just not too much."
"Same to you," he smiled, "Let me know you got there safely, somehow."
"I promise," she nodded, "Bye."
Archie stood on the platform as the train slowly picked up speed until it was only a speck in the distance. He sighed heavily as he walked home. Fortunately Veronica and Jughead were waiting on the front step for him.
"C'mon, Buddy, let's watch a movie," Jughead smiled, "Can you believe Veronica's never seen Rambo?"
-d-d-d-d-
Betty leaned back against her seat and watched the scenery race by her.
"Not going to lie, that was a bit nauseating to watch," Cheryl said from her seat facing her partner.
"Not now, Cheryl," Betty didn't even look in Cheryl's direction.
"Oh, come now, Elizabeth, he'll be waiting for you on Sunday," Cheryl told her.
"Don't call me 'Elizabeth'. You sound like my mother," Betty said.
"Sorry," Cheryl began digging into her bag, "You know we're going to be so busy you won't have time to miss him."
"Famous last words," Betty looked over at her when the redhead put a deck of cards on the table, "Solitaire?"
"Poker," Cheryl smiled, "You do know how to play, right?"
"Yeah, but we're not playing for money," Betty said.
"That's fine," Cheryl shrugged, "I've got plenty of money."
"Deal 'em," Betty was grateful for something else to think about, even though there was an uneasiness that stayed in her chest.
-d-d-d-d-d-
Ring-ring
Betty whimpered softly as she turned over and blindly grabbed her phone.
"What?"
"Hey, Betty, sorry, did I wake you?" Betty heard Archie's apologetic voice when she answered.
"What time is it?" she muttered as she felt the soreness in her body immediately hit her all at once.
"About nine," Archie said, "I wanted to call you before the day got too busy."
"You're working with your dad today, right?"
"Yeah, we're working on the jalopy. I'm hoping he'll let me drive it around a bit," Archie replied.
"I suppose you do need to practice since you got your learner's permit," Betty yawned deeply as she managed to sit herself upright despite the protest in every one of her muscles.
"I miss you," Archie stated.
"I miss you, too," Betty smiled sleepily as she pulled on a pair of leggings and a comfy Riverdale High sweatshirt she'd nicked from Archie, "Even when you wake me up."
"Gag me," Cheryl murmured quietly.
Betty frowned and decided to vacate the premises, "Any other plans today?"
"Maybe grab a pizza or something," Archie shrugged even though Betty couldn't see him, "Dad wants to have a chat with FP. Jug might be staying with us for a while."
Betty leaned against the wall and sighed, "It's that bad?"
"Yeah," Archie said.
"FP is not going to like this. Remind your dad to duck."
"That's assuming FP is sober enough to even throw a punch," Archie sighed.
"Where's Jug now?"
"Still asleep on my bedroom floor," Archie replied.
"Wow, that really sucks for Jug," Betty frowned.
"We're gonna fix up the spare room, and he's gonna use that," Archie said.
"If you need help I'm a house away," Betty reminded him.
"I might need you to talk me down from time to time. Jug's a good friend and all, but he's got some traits that irritate the crap out of me," Archie replied.
"You know where to find me."
"Tomorrow I can find you at the train station, right?"
"Absolutely," Betty promised.
"Are you having a good time with your aunt?" Archie asked.
"She's keeping me moving," Betty replied, "I'm on the go pretty much as soon as I get out of bed."
"In that case I won't hold you up any more," Archie said, "Call me before you go to sleep?"
"If I can manage it before I collapse, I will."
"Can't wait to see you, Betts," Archie replied.
"See you tomorrow. I'll call later, if I can," Betty smiled as she ended her call and hit the mess tent to get some coffee. Maybe she'd bring some back for Cheryl to make amends for the early wake up.
Just as she filled up one cup and reached for another, she looked up and nearly fell over.
"Polly?"
The blonde woman paused for a moment as she connected the voice as she spun towards her, her eyes wide in surprise, "Betty?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Polly replied.
Betty scanned her sister and her eyes widened when she got to her sister's stomach, "You're pregnant?"
"Oh, yeah, that," Polly rubbed at her belly.
"Oh my god, is it Jason's?"
"Of course it's Jason's," Polly's eyes lit up in excitement, "Is he with you? I've been writing emails to him for months."
"You don't know," Betty realized.
"Don't know what?" Polly asked.
"Polly, Jason's gone," Betty stated.
"What do you mean gone?" Polly asked, "Did he run away? I mean, we were supposed to go together, but he never showed up."
"He didn't run away," Betty felt terrible at having to break her pregnant sister's heart, "Polly, he died."
"What!" she gasped as she dropped her cup of tea at her feet.
"Is everything okay?" A girl with pink hair appeared next to Polly, "Maggie, are you okay?"
"Maggie?" Betty looked to her sister in confusion.
"I have to go," Polly put her hand to her mouth like she was going to be sick just before she bolted out of the tent.
"What's going on?" the young woman asked, "Do you know Maggie? What did you say that upset her?"
"She's my sister," Betty replied, "I just told her the father of her child is dead."
"Oh my god!" the woman gasped, "She's been talking for months about reuniting with him after she gives birth."
"Where's the nearest bathroom?"
"I'll show you," she said, "By the way, I'm Toni."
"Betty," the blonde managed a faint smile.
"Oh, you're the weekend warrior my parents are coaching for a few days," Toni concluded, "They say you and your friend are really talented."
"Uh, yeah, thanks," Betty scrambled towards the bathroom to find her sister despite her muscles screaming at her in protest. Toni must have seen her wince.
"If you're sore, I've got some good massage tips I can give you," Toni offered, "My family tells me I've got magic fingers."
"I'll remember that," Betty nodded, "My friend is still in our room. It's number eight. Can you tell her I found my sister?"
"Uh, yeah, sure," Toni nodded, "Did you want me to bring her to you?"
"Yes, thank you," Betty disappeared into the bathroom.
It took a few moments before she found the right stall, with her sister slumped against the toilet, crying so many tears it broke Betty's heart.
"Polly," Betty spoke softly as she slowly pushed the door open.
"He's really dead?" Polly sniffled.
"I'm so sorry, Polly," Betty knelt down next to her, "He was shot."
"Shot? Oh my God," Polly cried.
"It's still an open investigation," Betty rubbed her sister's back in what she hoped was a comforting manner, "Did he ever say if he had any disagreements with anyone?"
Polly looked down at her hands, "He was doing something to get money for us."
"You don't know what it was?"
"He wouldn't tell me," Polly shook her head.
"I'm so sorry, Polly," Betty wiped at her sister's tears, "How did you end up hooking up with the circus?"
"I figured it was the last place Mom and Dad would look for me," Polly shrugged.
"Are you doing okay?" Betty asked, "Other than the horrible news I just gave you. Are you able to see a doctor regularly? Are you getting enough to eat? Sleep?"
Polly laughed, "I'm fine, Betty. There's a doctor that sticks with the show all year. He's delivered a lot of babies."
"Do you need money or anything?" Betty asked, "I can wire you some money regularly if you need it."
"And where are you going to get money?" Polly challenged her, "You don't have a job...wait, what are you doing here?"
"It's a long story," Betty said, "But I'm not alone."
"Archie?"
"Not exactly," Betty shook her head as the door opened, "We're over here."
"Is everything alright," the feminine voice tentatively approached.
When Polly made the connection, her eyes went wide in horror, "You brought Cheryl Blossom along? Are you here to take me back to Riverdale? Well, that's never going to happen. I'll run away again. You'll never find me."
"That's not what this is, Polly," Betty said, "I had no idea you were here."
"Neither did I," Cheryl shook her head.
"What are you two doing traveling together? Last time I checked, you two hated each other," Polly stated.
"Let's take a walk and have a talk," Betty helped Polly to her feet.
"I'm not going anywhere with her," Polly gave Cheryl an evil stare.
"Polly, it's okay," Betty tried to reassure her, "Cheryl is not going to hurt you. She's on your side, I promise."
"Did Jason know?" Cheryl asked softly, looking at Polly's stomach.
"Yes, he knew," Polly nodded.
"And that's why he asked for money and told me he was leaving town," Cheryl concluded.
Polly nodded as the three of them left the bathroom and started walking.
"Polly, why didn't you tell me?" Betty asked.
"Because you'd have stopped me," Polly stated, "I couldn't stay in Riverdale. I couldn't have Mom and Dad finding out. You know what would happen. They'll commit me and take away my baby."
"I wouldn't have stopped you," Betty shook her head, "I would've packed a bag and gone with you."
"Yet another reason," Polly stated, "You have so much going for you. I couldn't ask you to throw everything away. You're going to graduate with honors from high school, go to a really great college, and have a really great life."
"But I won't have you," Betty frowned.
"Maybe in a few years, I'll come back," Polly stated thoughtfully, "But I can't right now."
"Just promise you'll write and send pictures," Cheryl said.
"Of course," Polly stated.
"And we'll send money to help out," Betty added. "You've got our niece or nephew in there. We want to be a part of that."
"Cheryl, I'm so sorry I wasn't there to support you when they found Jason," Polly said.
"It wouldn't have helped," Cheryl replied, "A part of me is missing now. I've had to find ways to move on."
"Yeah, so do I," Polly realized.
"You'll both be okay," Betty said, "Neither of you are alone."
"You were cagy about why you're here," Polly stated, "The carnival doesn't open until later. We only let guests in before the gates open."
"I think we have to tell her," Betty looked at Cheryl.
"No, we really don't," Cheryl gave her a stern look.
"Cheryl," Betty gave her a look.
"Someone tell me," Polly said.
"Cheryl and I are dating," Betty said.
"What!" Polly gasped.
"She's kidding," Cheryl glared at Betty, "My grandmother has some connections. I was looking for some new moves for the Vixens. Betty had to join me because she's the vice-captain."
"Wait, Betty is a Vixen? Since when?"
"Beginning of the year," Cheryl said.
"Mom's okay with it?" Polly looked shocked.
"No, but I'm not living my life for her anymore," Betty said.
"Good," Polly stated, "We should be living our own lives."
"Are you feeling okay?" Betty asked, "Are things going okay with the baby?"
"Yeah, we're okay," Polly nodded, "I'm sorry I left without saying anything, but I heard Mom making plans to send me somewhere called The Sisters. I knew I had to get out of there."
"The Sisters?" Betty looked confused.
"Oh my God," Cheryl shook her head, "It's a convent/orphanage/conversion camp."
"She knew about the baby?" Betty asked.
"I guess so," Polly shook her head, "I never said anything though."
"What other reason did she have for sending you to a convent?" Betty asked.
"She probably wasn't all that excited about me dating Jason. She thought he was too experienced for me."
Cheryl tilted her head and nodded a bit, "He did have a lot of girls around before you, Polly."
"Do you have access to a computer or phone? Could you keep in touch?" Betty asked, "I've been so worried about you since you left, and I've missed you so much."
"Toni has a phone," Polly said, "I'll email you from her web connection. Just make sure Mom doesn't go snooping."
"Is Toni the girl who came and got me?"
"Yes," Betty nodded, "I'm going to get a new email that Mom doesn't know about and send it to Toni's email. Then you get one Mom doesn't know about and send it to me."
Polly bobbed her head in agreement as the pair hugged.
"I'm so glad I found you, even if I'm going to lose you again when the circus moves on," Betty stated.
"I'll write, I promise. The moment I go into labor, I'll have Toni call."
"If I can get away, I'll come be with you at least for a while," Betty stated.
"No," Polly shook her head, "Even if you think you got away clean, Mom will know."
"How?"
"The same way she knew I lost my virginity. She's Mom," Polly said, "How'd you get her to agree to this?"
"She thinks I'm at Aunt Celia's."
"Oh wow," Polly replied, "I never thought about using her as my alibi."
"She was happy to do it," Betty giggled, "She thinks I'm sneaking away with my fella."
"And these days she has one of those," Cheryl chimed in, "You should have seen him say goodbye. You'd have thought she was shipping out to war or something."
"Who?" Polly looked at her sister.
"Archie," Betty admitted.
"No!" Polly gasped, "And I'm missing it! I've been waiting for ten years for something to happen, and you wait until I'm gone to finally act on it."
Betty giggled, "Blame him. It took him this long to ask me out."
"Last I checked we lived in the twenty-first century. You could have asked him out. That's what I did with Jason," Polly admitted.
"Oh my God," Cheryl said suddenly, "Polly, if you ever come back to Riverdale, it has to be under the cover of darkness."
"What? Why?" Polly asked.
"My parents," Cheryl said, "You're having the heir's child, and it'll be his only child."
"Oh God, they'll do anything to get their hands on him or her," Polly looked sick.
"Polly, you need to stay as far away from Riverdale as you can get," Betty replied.
"Agreed," Polly nodded, "Maybe I'll go stay with Aunt Celia. Mom would never try to come and get me if I did."
"And if Dad tried to come get you, she'd pull out the shotgun," Betty smiled.
"Remember that time we were staying with her and Dad came to pick us up?" Polly giggled.
"I thought Dad was going to wet himself as she held him up," Betty laughed with her.
"And it wasn't exactly that she pointed the shotgun at him. It was more where she had it pointed," Polly laughed some more.
"And where was that?" Cheryl asked.
"Let's just say that if she'd pulled the trigger, there would have been zero chance for Polly and I to ever have any more siblings," Betty continued laughing.
"Like there's much of a chance now?" Polly rolled her eyes, "I don't think they've had sex since you were in kindergarten."
"Polly!" Betty laughed.
"What?" Polly shrugged, "It's totally true."
"Ew," Betty cringed.
"Our parents are so screwed up," Cheryl shook her head, "I mean my parents were basically an arranged marriage. Your parents are so pent up, I'm surprised they don't explode."
"Jug's mom took his sister and blew out of town when FP stopped remembering that he didn't live at the Wyrm," Betty nodded.
"Archie's mom blew out of town because she thought she was too good for Riverdale," Polly stated as Betty gave her a scowl, "Don't look at me like that, Betty. Before Mary was an Andrews, she was a Maiden, and they have always thought they were too good for Riverdale."
"Yeah," Betty sighed, "Arch has a lot of issues with what happened."
"We all have issues we're dealing with," Cheryl replied.
"Maybe I should run away and join the circus," Betty mused.
"Archie would follow, and Fred would never forgive any of us," Polly shook her head.
"So true," Betty bobbed her head, "So, Polly, what do you do with the circus?"
"I'm a seamstress for right now," Polly said, "They don't want me flying through the air or dealing with wild animals in my condition."
"Go figure," Cheryl shrugged.
"Maybe after the baby is born I'll do something a bit more involved. I really like it here, Betty," Polly told her, "They don't look at me differently. Heck, practically all the people here are runaways."
"I get it," Betty said, "I hate it, but I get it. You stay. You be safe. You stay in touch with us."
"I hate to be the buzz kill here, but Betty we're supposed to start training in thirty minutes," Cheryl interrupted, "We both have to get some breakfast and get changed."
"Don't run away. I want to have dinner with you," Betty told Polly.
"Definitely," Polly bobbed her head as Betty and Cheryl ran off.
Betty felt so much hope for the first time in a long time.
-d-d-d-d-d-
Betty started to get a bit antsy when she saw the sign for Riverdale come into view. Even though she was thankful for reconnecting with Polly and learning everything she did with their training, she was most anxious to get home to Archie. The brief talks on the phone caused the longing to be worse than ever.
"It's like you have ants in your pants," Cheryl noted.
"I'm just really looking forward to sleeping in my own bed," Betty stated.
"Yeah right," Cheryl snorted, "That's the only reason."
"Those mattresses were horrible."
"And the view from our window was just awful," Cheryl said, "No abs on display at all."
"I hate you," Betty said, "I never should have told you about that."
Cheryl smirked and bent her head again to continue the book she was reading.
Betty waited a few moments before she spoke again, "So, Toni was nice. I'm glad Polly has someone looking out for her."
"Yeah, her family is really talented," Cheryl stated, "She said her parents get tons of offers to work with more well known tours."
"You two spent a lot of free time together," Betty noted.
"It's not like I had a lot of time with you since you and Polly were busy reconnecting," Cheryl countered, "I am glad you found her, by the way."
"I know," Betty bobbed her head, "I am too, but I'm sorry if you felt like I abandoned you."
"It's okay. I kept myself entertained," Cheryl shrugged.
"Huh," Betty nodded, grabbing a magazine from the seat next to her and flipping it open.
"What's that mean?"
"What's what mean?"
"That little 'huh' you just said," Cheryl looked at her.
"Nothing," Betty shook her head, "I'm just surprised you and she got on so well. She's not your usual type of friend."
"Yeah, well, you aren't either, but I tolerate you," Cheryl countered.
"Thanks," Betty said, "Truth? I'm glad she was around for you to talk to this weekend. It made me feel less guilty for hanging out with Polly so much."
"Even if she wasn't, I'm good with entertaining myself," Cheryl replied, "I wouldn't begrudge you reconnecting with your sister. If the roles were reversed, I would have left you in the dust to spend time with Jason."
"She really loved him," Betty murmured softly.
"You seem surprised," Cheryl said.
"I thought it was part rebellion against our parents," Betty said, "But it wasn't."
"And I think he loved her too," Cheryl replied, "I'm glad he had that before he died."
"You'll find it, too," Betty said.
"The minute I get away from my family," Cheryl said.
"There he is," Betty broke out in a squeal of excitement.
"Gag me," Cheryl rolled her eyes as Betty eagerly retrieved her bag and waited for the all clear from the conductor to disembark.
"See you tomorrow," Cheryl said, letting Betty get ahead of her.
"Thanks for everything," Betty waved.
Betty ran off the train and flew into Archie's arms.
"I missed you," he hugged her tight.
"I missed you, too," Betty pressed her lips to his.
He smiled and rested his forehead against hers, "C'mon. Let's go home, and you can tell me everything you did this weekend."
"I'd rather hear what you did," Betty replied as he took her bag and entwined their hands together, "How did things go with Jug and his dad?"
"The peas that defrosted while my dad was holding them against his face were delicious," Archie said as they walked.
"FP hit him," Betty surmised.
"Yeah, Dad was expecting it though. FP only got one shot in though. I think he forgot that my dad has been boxing since high school," Archie replied.
"God," Betty shook her head, "Did your dad hit back?"
"No, he tried to stay reasonable. Your uncle had to intervene and drag FP away."
"Remind me to send Uncle Mike a nicer than usual Christmas present," Betty said.
"Jug will be staying with us for the foreseeable future," Archie stated, "We spent the rest of the day yesterday and all morning clearing out the guest room of Mom's old stuff. Jug will be staying there."
"We need to get him some stuff," Betty said.
"Stuff?"
"Posters or prints," Betty said, "Oh, there's that funky bookshop in Greendale. They sell pictures of book covers. I'm pretty sure they have Kerouac."
"And how do you think we'll get ourselves to Greendale to acquire such things?" Archie asked.
"This is where you ask your father to take you to Greendale to go Christmas shopping before all the good stuff is gone," Betty tugged at his jacket.
"This is one of those things good boyfriends do, right?"
"Good boyfriends, good friends, good guys, and guys who want to get past second base at some point in the foreseeable future," Betty smiled.
"Second base huh?" he raised a curious brow, "And what kind of gift will guarantee that?"
"I'll give you one hint," Betty said, "Ready? It doesn't come from a gas station."
Archie chuckled in reply.
"How was the Thanksgiving meal with Veronica and Jughead? You never said," Betty asked, "Did Jug behave?"
"As much as he's able," Archie replied, "He did try to belch the alphabet at one point, but Veronica stopped him with a kick to the shin."
Betty giggled as they walked, "Oh, I like her."
"I'm not sure Jug does, but I think she does have an admirer."
"If you say Reggie Mantle, I'll throw up."
"No, Dad and I were in Pop's on Friday, and Veronica was there waiting for her mom to get off shift when this guy came in. He looked familiar but I can't remember his name. Anyway, he had an eye for Ronnie. Thing is, he was wearing a Serpent jacket."
"Oh man, she's never going to go for a South Sider," Betty frowned, "She's too prim and proper for them."
"I don't know," Archie shrugged, "I think he caught her eye a bit, too."
"Really?" Betty was surprised, "I'll have to talk to her. Get her take on things."
"I'm so glad you're home," Archie wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.
"Me too," Betty replied, "I had fun with my aunt, but the best part of the weekend was coming home and having you waiting for me right where I left you."
"I put an 'x' on the pavement so I'd know where to stand," he teased.
"You did not," she elbowed him lightly in the ribs.
"I did not," he agreed, "C'mon, let's go inside and have some hot chocolate. We can compare weekends."
"Sounds good," Betty said, following him up the stairs and into the house, "Maybe I can give you a preview of second base."