Peculiar Interest

Chapter 1

This was it. The moment I felt the smooth surface of the envelope brush my hand, I'd feared the worst. I was normally always so confident. But this time, I really hoped things would go my way. I desperately hoped I would get what I wanted. When the adrenaline finally dissolved into my veins, I lifted the tab and tore open the envelope to unfold the piece of paper that was tucked inside.

"Dear Reggie Mantle," the letter read. "Thank you for applying to the University of Riverdale. We're pleased to let you know your application has been accepted."

I stared wide eyed at the letter. I'd been accepted? I couldn't believe it. The first two years of high school I'd goofed around, and even though I did buckle down once I moved, my grade average was still not good enough to get into a really good university as proven by the rejection letters I had stuffed into the trash can prior to opening this particular one. I was happy that there was at least some hope for me.

But to tell you the truth, I never really thought I'd ever have to move back to Riverdale. I occasionally thought about it of course and missed my friends. We kept in touch as well, but we all moved on in a way once I settled in New York. The main reason I even applied to the university there was because it had the highest acceptance rate out of all the universities with a decent Journalism program. Other than that, I was content with where I already was.

Well, almost content. My father and I never really had a good relationship, and even though I was a better kid than before, he never seemed to get over the fact that I was totally screwed up during my first 2 years of high school.

"If only you were serious from the beginning you could've gotten into a great school like Harvard," he'd nag, "Now it'll be tough for you to get accepted by anyone."

I desperately wanted to escape from him. And now that I'd actually been accepted into an out of state university, I was finally able to.

I wondered if I should give Archie a call. We stopped talking after a while not because we had a fight or hated each other, but because I guess it's hard to maintain a friendship when you're so far apart. It did seem a little awkward to just randomly call him up. But then I thought again and a smile crept on my face. Why not just surprise everyone instead?

I spent the next two weeks packing my bags in excitement for what was about to come. And once I'd said my goodbyes to everyone, I was ready to go. Ready to leave New York and renew my life.

The day I was back in Riverdale, I didn't tell anyone I was here. Not even my relatives that lived here knew. And as soon as I got out the airport, I stepped into a taxi and went straight to the apartment I was renting. I could see by the blur of moving buildings that not much had changed about the city. Knowing that made it feel as if I was home again, back where I belong.

The moment I arrived and stepped inside the office, I was immediately greeted by the tenant who gave me the key to the room and went up the elevator with me to show where it was once I was done signing the lease and giving him the cheque.

"If you have any questions or need any help, do let me know," he told me delightfully as I set my luggage down, "the breakfast area always has coffee available if you ever need any."

But I didn't think I'd need any coffee. I just thanked him and he left me to my room which was furnished with cheap furniture. A sofa that looked like it was bought from the thrift store was placed in the living room with a tv that could've belonged to my grandmother. But regardless of my complaints, I wasn't planning on using the furniture that my dad paid for so this would have to do. I wanted to be as independent as possible.

I spent the entire day getting everything set and playing video games on my laptop while laying in bed. I didn't feel like going out yet and exploring the neighborhood. Not unless I was in desperate need of groceries and other essentials. Instead, I heard the sound of knuckles rapping against the door.

"Hi! I'm your neighbor," said a kind, womanly voice, "I live in the apartment to your left. I just wanted to welcome you."

I groaned and set my laptop on the bed and walked over to the door. My heart pounded as I wondered if perhaps I would recognize this person, but instead, a total stranger stood before me.

"Hi!" the lady cheerfully greeted, "I'm Anette!"

I mumbled a hello and shook her hand awkwardly. To be honest, I was slightly disappointed. I really did hope she'd be someone I knew. But regardless, I invited her in.

"So, what's your name," she asked in a genuinely curious manner.

"Reggie Mantle," I replied.

"That's a bit of an unusual name," she replied,"A nickname right?"

"Yeah. My real name is Reginald."

"I see," she softly said while nodding, "I myself moved here 2 years ago. It was really lonely at first, you know? This is a small town and while the people are certainly friendly, it's hard to get along with people who already have deeply established connections with . So I'm here if you ever nerd any help."

"Thank you. I appreciate it." I didn't really know what to say. I grew up in Riverdale so I of course never really noticed that myself, but it certainly gave me a slightly different perspective of the town.

"Well," she abruptly said, possibly having noticed me zoning out, "I do have to take care of a few things so I'll be off. Nice to meet you Reginald!" She exclaimed in the same cheerful tone as when she first arrived and shut the door behind me. When I look back at it, I was so awkward that I feel bad Anette had to put up with that. But I'm a changed man now, so I guess it's okay.

After that encounter, I walked over to the fridge to grab a snack. Alas, somehow I expected the fridge to be stocked, but I opened the door to cool, empty racks. Great. I actually had to leave the house now.

With that I walked to the local grocery store. I did remember my way around Riverdale, so it didn't really take that long. Just a 15 minute walk. I passed through more unfamiliar faces on the way there, which surprised me a little. I did expect to see people that I at least sort of knew. Despite how tiny Riverdale is, there were still so many people I didn't know. At this point I began to question whether the gang still lived here, and felt lonely at the possibility that just like me they we're all gone.

I carried the feeling with me all the way to the aisles and to the counter and kept asking myself: Did I get my hopes up for nothing? Would I never be able to reunite with them? Were all the times we had only a distant memory, never to be revived again? As I walked towards the exit, only then did my mind recognise a familiar figure. She wore a frown on her face, and dark clouds seemed to follow her as she walked. All of a sudden, I knew that frown. I knew who it was.

"Betty Cooper," I whispered to myself. She didn't look in my direction at all, which I was thankful for. I didn't want her to see me. Especially considering my current state, I only wanted to be her shadow. So I trailed after her, closely observing her and watching her every move like a creep while she let out soft sighs and placed necessities in her shopping basket. I think she sensed me though, because at one point she stopped and turned around. But I turned around quicker, successfully concealing my identity. I heard two footsteps approach and then stop.

"Excuse me? Is something wrong?" she questioned in the same sweet, polite manner as she always had.

And thats when I dashed out the store. I hated myself for it, but I wasn't ready at the time. I wasn't ready for the pain that suddenly pierced through me when I heard her voice. All I could do was run and ask myself, when would I meet her again?