It's Always Being You

20- Tension

Archie's POV
The remainder of winter break consisted of many restless nights. Betty was constantly running through my mind making it impossible to sleep. Speaking of Betty, we had no interaction since that night in her room where everything became even more confusing than it already was. I was stolen from my thoughts by the sound of my alarm clock ringing for second time indicating that it was 6:30 and that I had to get up for school, something that I wasn't looking forward too. It'd be great to see everyone but all I could think about was seeing Betty and the tension that would run through the air in every class we had together which was all of them. I quickly pulled myself out of bed letting my feet hit the cold hardwood floors before jumping into some running gear and packing my both my school bag my gym bag chucking a pair of clean jeans, my letter men jacket, a simple 3-button Raglan and some converse. I stood up and grabbed my phone placing it in my shorts pocket before throwing a hoddie over my body before heading towards the door only for it to swing open.
"Hey teenager you up....oh your already up and everything. You going somewhere?" Dad questioned as I slid past him before heading down the stairs with him following in my tracks, stopping as I reached the kitchen. "Yeah, I'm heading into school." I stated with a smile as I grabbed a banana and an apple from the fruit bowl putting the apple in my bag and opening the banana. "School, now? Who the hell are you? Plus Arch you don't have to be there for another hour and a fifteen minutes." He exclaimed in a confused tone as I walked right past him heading for the door. "Yeah but I figured I'd run some laps and clear my head. Got a lot going through my mind and I think running would be best." I said as I reached the front door before bending down and sliding my sneakers on. "I'm gonna guess it's about Betty?" He questioned causing me too look back up at him not saying a word just giving a silent yes, before he nodded in return.
"Alright well don't let me stop you. I'll be home late tonight, we're trying to get ahead of schedule on the new construction." "Alright well I'll do dinner tonight than. See you dad." I stated as I grabbed my car keys and headed out the door.

By the time I reached school and ran 5 laps the sun was fully up and though the thick layer of Riverdale mist that hung low made it seem as though it was an hour earlier than it was. I quickly jogged back into the locker room checking the time on the clock on the wall which read 7:20; I quickly ripped off my clothes and jumped in the shower just for long enough to get rid of the sweaty smell and to feel at least pleasantly clean. After jumping into some clean clothes I chucked my gym bag back in my gym locker and headed towards the exit before making my way to my locker to pick up some books for the first class of the day.
"Andrews!" I heard Veronica yell from down the hall, I didn't even need to look to know it was her. She quickly walked over to me hugging me as I opened my arms up.
"Hey Ronnie. How does it feel to be back?" I questioned as I shut my locker door while turning my body to face hers, letting out a light laugh at her facial expression. "Well it's definetly not the most alive place at the moment which just kills the mood. So at the moment it's pretty dull and I wish I was back home." She stated in a serious tone causing me to laugh lightly as we both began walking to class together. "You seen Betty this morning?" I questioned in a more serious tone as I turned my gaze to meet Veronica's as we turned a corner in the hallway. I could feel my heart speeding inside my chest as Veronica didn't answer as quickly as I would've liked her too. "No I haven't actually. Haven't seen her since two days ago. She told me what happened by the way, you know in her room after she saw Haley at yours." Veronica explained in soft tone.
"It's not what it looked like, I'm not sure weather Betty believes me but I just wish we could get past this and forget all about it." I explained as I slowed my speech down and moved my gaze to the floor. "I know Archie and as much as you want this to be over, time is the only thing that can heal a broken heart." Veronica stated as she placed an arm on my upper arm rubbing it lightly before giving me a reassuring smile. "I know, I know. But it's already being two weeks apart and Im struggling and I was hoping we'd go to the winter formal together in two weeks and we'll, what if it's not all good by then?" I questioned as fear grew inside me.
"If you truely love her Archie, you'll wait and give her the time she needs." Veronica stated neutrally with a warm calm tone. "I'd wait forever for her Ronnie but I'm starting to think that she may not want me too." I stated as I could feel my body slouching down due to the negative thoughts circling my mind.
"Don't worry Archie, I don't think your story with Betty is over. Now come on let's get to class, we both know that Mr.Franklin does not like to be kept waiting." Veronica stated causing a sense of relief to over wash my body just knowing that she had a positive thought that me and Betty would get through this. As I quickly approached the classroom I was taken out my daze as I collided with someone else's body causing us both to stumble backwards dropping our books with my arms holding there body against me to prevent them from falling.
"Oh crap sorry!" "Oh my god I'm so sorry." We both stated as we both began to regain our balance with my arms still on the unknown individual, completely taken aback by the shinning blond hair that I could recognise anywhere that stood before me.
"Betty!"