It's Always Being You

21- Hope

Archie's POV

It was already Wednesday and I could already feel the drowsiness of school taking its toll on my body. Due to late nights attempting to make up homework hours due to football and music taking over ,my sleeping pattern had gone out of whack.

As Jughead and I proceeded down the hall heading to algebra all I could think about was the fact that Betty and Reggie are already so close and it's only being two days. Visions of Monday night still burned in my brain, just being in my bedroom and seeing the two of them in Betty's room working and laughing seeming like everything was good in life was enough to send my jealousy through the roof. "Archie? Arch? Archiebald!" I heard Jug yell instantly catching my attention. "Huh? Sorry what'd you say?" I questioned in a confused tone, as I met his eyes. "Nothing, i didn't say anything. You just suddenly stopped walking in the middle of the hallway. You alright man?" He questioned as he placed a hand on my shoulder causing my body to tilt slightly before taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry man, my heads all over the place. All these thoughts are just stuck and I can't stop thinking about them." I stated as we both began walking in the direction of class. Jughead turned his head to look at me slightly with concern but also hidden smirk. "I'm sorry man that sucks but if I had to guess, I'm guessing the thoughts are about a particular blond?" He stated with a lighthearted yet humorous tone. A smile slowly grew on my face as the blood rushed to my cheeks causing the room temperature to suddenly feel as though it tripled. I quickly turned my head to face Jughead noticing a smirk was plastered on both our faces due to how typical my thoughts where and how well Jughead knew me. We both let out a light laugh before entering the classroom only to be halted by Josie in the doorway.

"Josie, hey!" I stated with a joyful tone as a small smile played on my face. "Hey guys!" She stated with a kind tone as she kept on switching her gaze between the two of us. "Archie, I have a proposition for you. As Betty put me in charge of music for the winter formal, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to perform an original song? Preferably one for a slow dance." She questioned as she leant backwards on the doorframe while crossing her arms over her chest. A small smile found its way to my lips as the question left Josie's mouth. "Definitely, I have some new songs too finish but when I'm done I'll perform for you and we can pick the best one." I stated with a joyful tone as the bell rang. "Why don't you just stop by the music room today at lunch, Me and Valerie are working on some new song lyrics. You can come by and all three of us can finish some songs together." She stated before Mr. Wilding entered the classroom placing his stuff on the desk while telling everyone to take a seat. "Excuse me Mr.Andrews, Ms.Mcoy would you like to join the rest of the class?" He questioned through gritted teeth while tapping his fingers on the desk. "Sorry sir." We both said at the same time while trying not to laugh. "Sounds great I'll see you guys at lunch." I whispered before we both parted ways to our individual desk.

Betty's POV

I could feel the cool winter breeze seep through the trees as I exited the building out into the courtyard before spotting Veronica, Kevin, Jughead and Archie at our usual table. My eyes linked with Archie's as I began making my way over towards them, not knowing whether to smile or not we both just kept a blank gaze with our mouths slightly parted. Archie quickly gathered his belongings while sliding out from the table and throwing his bag over his shoulder while muttering something to the rest of the group before heading back to the school building. Was he avoiding me? I thought to myself before deciding not to overthink the situation. Maybe he actually had somewhere to be, I thought before taking what use to be Archie's seat next to Kevin.

"Why did Archie go?" I questioned as I began opening my bottle of juice before moving my gaze between all three of them desperate for an answer. "Oh he said he had too meet Josie for some music thing for the winter formal or something, I don't know. But I do know that he's performing a new song." Jughead said as he took a handful of chips from the packet before shoving them in his mouth. There was so much I wanted to ask but I figured I should just let it go. I put Josie in charge of the music for the night so it's entirely up to her over who performs, I thought to my self before turning to Veronica after catching a glimpse of Reggie a few tables down. "So V, today's the day. You going to do it?" I questioned with large smirk and giggly tone as Veronicas smile grew on her face while rolling her eyes at me. "Um hello, do what?" Kevin questioned as he began waving his hand up in there trying to get both of our attentions. Both me and Ronnie smiled at each other cheekily before I quickly turned my head to Kevin. "Veronica is asking Reggie to the winter formal like right now." I stated as I watched Kevin's face expand as a smile grew on his face. "Riverdale highs very own running back. Score V." Kevin stated as he reached over to high five Veronica only for Reggie to approach our table as if right in cue. "Hey Veronica. Hey guys." Reggie stated as he slid his hands into his pockets while standing at the end of the table. "Hey Reggie." Veronica stared with a warm flirtatious tone as per usual while the rest of us just smiled and nodded in reply. "So Reggie I was thinking, maybe you'd wanna go to the winter formal with me?" Veronica stated as she clasped her hands together before resting her chin on her knuckles. The silence that lasted for only 5 seconds felt like a lifetime. No words left anyone's mouth, we where all just watching the two of them so intensely. "I actually came over here to ask you the same question but definitely , it's a date." Reggie said as a smile expanded on his face while shyly looking at the ground. "Great, So pick me up around 6 next Friday?" Veronica questioned as she delivered her signature Veronica Lodge smirk. "Sounds like a plan. So I'll see you then miss Lodge." Reggie stated as he began walking away backwards with his hands deeply buried in his pockets before turning his back fully and returning to his lunch table. I could practically see Kevin's smile in my peripheral vision expanding off of his face while Veronicas cheeks grew a deep shade of red before turning her gaze to meet all of our gazes. "Congratulations V!" I stated as I clasped my hands together lightly only for Kevin to repeat my actions. "So you and Reggie and me and Betty. What about you Jughead? Who are you taking?" Kevin asked as he took a sip from his juice. "I'm a lone wolf Kevin. I don't need the companionship of another just so I can follow tradition. I'll be spending my night by the food table." Jughead explained as he continued to stuff his face with food. "Whatever makes you happy Jug. Anyway I've got to go to the library, got to finish my history paper." Kevin stated as he stood up from the table. "I'll come with you. I've got to borrow some books on cell division for my lap report. See you guys." I stated as I stood up from the table while slinging my bag over my shoulder before walking off with Kevin towards the school building.