No Turning Back [Archie Andrews]

EIGHT

 Lily stood looking in the doorway for a few minutes. "What the hell is Archie thinking?" Jughead shrugged. "Honestly, I think we should just ask him." Lily shook her head. "No, no, absolutely not. I mean, you can ask him, but I can't." Jughead nodded. "So when I talk to Archie, I won't mention you." Lily placed her hands together. "Thank you."

At this moment, Reggie showed up. "Hey Lil." She smiled as he kissed her cheek. "Hey yourself." Reggie folded his arms. "You ready to go?" Lily raised an eyebrow. "Go where? It's the middle of the school day." Reggie smirked. "Come on, it'll be fun." Lily chuckled. "Alright, fine." He grinned and draped his arm around her shoulder as they walked towards the school doors.

As Reggie and Lily walked down the road, Lily couldn't help but look up at Reggie. Even with the events of the night before, she couldn't fight the feelings she was developing. She reached out to interlace her fingers with his. He looked down at her, and smiled.

By the time they got to Pop's, school had ended. "See? I timed it perfectly." Lily chuckled. "Yes you did." Reggie led her to a booth. Lily enjoyed the time... until she looked at the clock. "No... no... no." She stood up, and Reggie stood up too. "Lily what is it?" Lily looked back at him. "Cheerleading practice. I'm late. Cheryl's going to kick me off the team." She started to walk towards the door. "I'm so sorry, I'll see you tonight." Reggie sighed. "What have you gotten yourself into, Reggie?" He mumbled to himself.

Lily burst into the gym, and all eyes were on her. Cheryl folded her arms. "You're late, Lily. If you weren't my good friend, I would kick you off the team." Lily ran into formation. "I know I know, and I'm sorry. I got held up." Cheryl raised an eyebrow. "Doing what? You missed school." Lily looked off into the distance. "Yeah, I skipped school." Cheryl smirked. "Oh my god! You were with a guy, weren't you?" Lily nodded. Cheryl clapped her hands together. "I live for drama. Who?" Lily whispered. "Reggie." Cheryl put her hand to her face. "Reggie Mantle? Lily."

As Lily and Cheryl were talking, Veronica and Betty were talking as well. "I know everyone grieves differently, but Cheryl's hosting a pep rally to cope with her loss.
That's either brilliant, or psychotic, or both." Betty sighed, looking at Lily with a death glare. "Yeah, well, at least Cheryl's not putting on an act. Pretending she's a butterfly when really she's a wasp." She turned to Veronica. "Or defending the wasp." Veronica folded her arms and stopped stretching.

"I'm pretty sure the only reason Lily went into the closet with Archie was so that Cheryl wouldn't." Betty narrowed her eyes. "I cannot help but feel like you had something to do with this. Archie and I were fine before you got here." Veronica scoffed. "you mean he was oblivious and you were pining after him in quiet desperation." Betty sighed. "We were friends, at least." Veronica stood up. "You were walking on emotional eggshells around him, scared to tell him the truth." Betty folded her arms.

"Okay, you don't know me Veronica." At this time, Lily walked over. "Are you two okay?" Veronica held up a finger to symbolize Lily shutting up. "It is not my fault he doesn't like you." Betty's and Lily's eyes widened. Veronica sighed. "It isn't my fault, or Lily's fault, or even stupid Archie's fault. It's just how it is." Lily folded her arms, while Veronica kept talking.

"Most of the time the people we like don't like us back. Romeo and Juliet are the exception, not the rule." Betty ignored Veronica. "Look Never speak to me again. If that's what you want, I'll accept that. But what, exactly, did Archie do wrong?" Betty scoffed. "Are you seriously taking his side?" Veronica shook her head. "No, I'm not taking any-" Betty frowned. "And this is your way of trying to be friends with me again?" Lily rolled her eyes. "Betty, not everything is about you." Veronica and Betty both stared at Lily. "For just this once, Betty, try to see this from someone else's perspective. I don't even like Archie, I just did that so that Cheryl wouldn't." Veronica nodded. "See, I told you." Betty sighed.

This was the moment Cheryl walked over. "Pussycats are in." She noticed the tension. "Am I interrupting something?" Betty smiled. "As a matter of fact... No, you're not. Actually, I was about to come and find you, Cheryl. I have a gift certificate for hers-and-hers mani-pedis and blowouts at Chez Salon. Do you want to come with me?" Veronica folded her arms. "Don't do this." Cheryl ignored Veronica. "As pour moi, Betty, but of course. I never say no to a pedi. And I was just about to suggest the same thing. Can I steal her for a second?" Before Veronica could say anything, Cheryl and Betty left. Lily sighed. "Ronnie, what have we done?"