Beronica

Chapter Five: The Semi Formal Veronica's Pov:

It feels good to tell Betty everything. And when she hugs me, I feel better. My cheeks are red by the time she leaves to go home. I lay on my bed, thinking about the semi formal.

Falling asleep that night, I can't stop thinking about Betty. Her blonde hair, her kind smile. And her perfect lips.

The next day at school, there's loud chatter. Everyone is talking about the semi formal and who they're going to take. That was the one thing I hadn't thought of. Who I am going with. I could go alone, but that isn't the impression I want to make.

Just then, Archie turns the corner and leans against the locker next to mine. He gives me a white toothed smile. " So, I was wondering if you might want to go to the semi formal with me. Not anything special, just friends." Archie adds.

I think about it. Just friends. " Okay. That sounds nice."

It isn't hard to see Archie holding in excitement. " See you there."

I let out a sigh of relief. Now things between Betty and I wouldn't be strange. But when I see her standing across the hall, looking at me, I see that in her eyes she is holding back tears. And I would be lying if it didn't crush my heart to see her so sad.

All day, the tightness on my chest doesn't go away. Eventually I avoid Betty all together, and hang out with Archie. He tells me childhood stories about Betty and him and I listen. But mostly to the stories about Betty. He says all these wonderful things, like how she tutored him when he was behind. How she always stood up for him, and him for her. In the end, I said goodbye to Archie, and went home to prepare for the semi formal.

Mom was still at work waitressing, so I was home by myself. I take a long shower, combing through my hair, then I brush it out. Half an hour before the semi formal starts, I have my hair done, I'm dressed, and I'm finishing up my makeup. Looking in the mirror, I gaze at my combed hair. I parted it, so my eyes were showing, matching my red lipstick. It wasn't a particularly bold color, but it matched my strapless, black metallic dress. I hear a knock from downstairs. Archie must be here to pick me up. The door clicks open, and I hear Smithers greeting him.

Walking elegantly down the staircase, I am not prepared to see Betty waiting beside Archie. She doesn't blink when watching me descend to the bottom. Archie is wearing a smart black blazer with a white collared shirt and green bow tie. It has white polka dots on it. But Betty has on a pink dress with flared sides. Her hair is wavy, with some blush on the sides of her cheeks. I only realise how long I've been staring when Archie clears his throat. " I hope it's okay that Betty is here. We've just always walked to school together including dances."

" I mean we're all friends so it makes sense."

The walk there is silent, Betty and I glancing at each other while Archie tries to make conversation.

In the gym, the lights have a blue filter, and confetti litters the floor. Archie had told me the semi formal was just a dance to welcome the new high school year. As soon as the crowd sets in, Betty went to the snack table and poured herself some fruit punch. Music fills the air, and people start to pair up. I see someone in a beanie ask Betty to dance, so she puts her hands on his shoulders, and his hands go to her hips. " Want to dance?" Archie asks me.

So soon we're doing a shuffle dance across the floor. Archie smiles at me brightly, so I smile back. I glance over at Betty, who also glances over at me. Her partner is a slender teen wearing a crown beanie that sits on his jet black hair. I think his name was Jughead? Archie had mentioned someone named Jughead who looked like this guy did.

Even with my attention on Betty, I feel Archie's breath on my face. Oh God. Oh God no. He thought I was interested in him. And he was going to act on it! So as I feel Archie grow closer, panic seizes me. And then he closes the gap. His lips touch mine, and for some reason I freeze. I don't pull away. But Archie does when he sees Betty standing near the door. Tears well in her eyes, as she turns on her heel and flees the gym. " I'm sorry Veronica, I have to go see why Betty is upset." Archie says, already jogging after her.

So left alone on the dance floor, I feel my heart shatter.