It's Always Being You

22- Safe

Betty's POV

It was finally the night of the dance. Anticipation and excitement ran through my body. Months and months of planning had gone into this and all I hoped for was that people enjoyed themselves. I never thought I'd say this but it'd be finally good to get away from school, as much as I enjoy the company of all my friends I'm sick and tired of having to watch Archie and Ginger laughing and smiling in class and her constantly being at his locker with her arm gently tracing down his muscled chest. I know we are on a break but that boy still manages to make my heart flip. I was taken from my thoughts by a hand placing it self on my shoulder. "Betty?" "Oh my god! Kevin! You scared me." I exclaimed as I turned from my vanity to face him while laughing. "Yeah sorry about that. Your sister let me in. You okay though? You seemed pretty deep in thought." He stated as he plunked himself on the ottoman placed at the end of my bed. I lightly smiled at him before placing down my mascara and turning back to him. "I'm fine, I guess I just though tonight would be completely different." I said with slight sadness in my voice as I sat my self on the vanity chair gently throwing one leg over the other while smoothing out the the bottom half of my evening haze coloured dress. "You thought you'd be going with Archie." Kevin stated as he slowly meant forward a little to meet my gaze while delivering a sympathetic smile. "Yeah." I stated with a quick smile before adjusting the top of my dress while letting out a deep breath. Kevin quickly stood up and walked over to me grabbing my hands bringing me to stand up before him. "Well tonight can still be fun. We will have the greatest time Betty. I promise. Now come on, Veronica and Reggie are waiting for us at Pops." Kevin stated as he grabbed my clutch from the end of my bed, placing it in my hands before handing me my jacket and shoulder bag which contained my bikini and clothes for the after party as we exited the bedroom. Kevin was right, tonight could still be fun, I'm not going to let my thoughts and feelings get in the way of a good night.

As we arrived at Pops, the snow was really beginning to chuck down. The staircase leading up was almost fully submerged in snow. Kevin quickly grabbed the umbrella from behind him before exiting the truck and running over to my side to open the door for me. "Here you go m'lady." Kevin stated in horrible British accent as he held the door open for me before quickly shutting it and locking the car. We both let out a light laugh before linking arms and heading towards the entrance for Pops. The neon signs lit up the dark car park, adding a sense of warmth to the night.

We quickly entered through the glass door bringing in a trail of slushy snow, though feeling the warmth from the radiator flow throughout our body while quickly talking off both our jackets before I hung them on the hanger while Kevin closed the umbrella placing it in a small bucket by the door. We both quickly began scanning the diner only to hear the sound of Veronica and Reggie laughing coming from the direction of our usual booth. Kevin and I quickly began walking over only for me to stop in my tracks quickly grasping Kevin's arm. He was there, Archie. It was easy to identify the figure as him, the structure of his body and his broad shoulders and the way his messy red hair glowed in neon lights. My heart began thumping out of my chest and I could feel my hands starting to become clammy. "Betty? What's wrong?" Kevin questioned as he turned to face me while placing his hand on my shoulder. "Did you know he was coming?" I questioned as I averted my gaze from Archie to meets Kevin's eyes only for him to look in the direction of the table before snapping his gaze back to mine. "What, no. Veronica never said anything about them." Kevin explained as he gave my shoulder a light squeeze. "Look, don't let this ruin your night and plus it might not be that bad, it might be good for the two of you to finally be around each other, you know after avoiding each other for so long. Now come on let's get over there before Veronica starts yelling." Kevin explained in between laughs as he placed his hand on the small of my back guiding the both of us towards the booth. "Hey guys!" Both Veronica and Reggie yelled as we approached there table both delivering huge smiles as Reggies arm draped over Veronica's shoulder. "Hey." I exclaimed with a smile while darting my eyes towards Veronica making it clear to her that I was annoyed about her not telling me that Archie was going to be here, though she just smirked in response. "Well are you guys going to sit?" Reggie questioned as he stared at me and Kevin as we where both just standing facing the booth. Kevin took a quick seat next to Veronica leaving only one spot available for me to sit. I slowly turned to face Archie only to see that his eyes where already on me. God I've missed him. "I can move and get a chair." Archie stated as he began sliding out of the booth only for me to place my hand lightly on his chest stopping him, causing electricity to run throughout my body. "No, no it's fine. Stay where you are." I said as Archie quickly slid back into his place next to Jughead before I slid in next to him with our bodies slightly touching at the shoulders. I could feel the heat radiating off his body acting as a furnace for me while his cologne filled my nostrils. I could feel my body going into a frenzy as I took all of him in, even though we weren't technically speaking I feel safe next to him. I could see Archie in the corner of my eye constantly turning his head slightly to look at me. A blush was evident on his cheeks and it was taking all my will power to not just lean closer to him and wrap my arm around his muscular ones. The silence that hung in the air was uncanny, it was the first time in almost three weeks that Archie and I where properly in the same room as each other  outside of school. "So. Archie!" Veronica lightly yelled as she slammed her hands on the table causing everyone to jolt slightly. "Your performing tonight right, want to spill on information of which song it is. A classic Archie Andrews? Or are you serving us with some new material?" Veronica questioned as she placed her lips around the candy stripped straw taking a sip from her milkshake. "Sorry Ronnie, I'm leaving it as a surprise. It's a new original that's all I'll say." Archie stated as he moved his arm to rest on the top of the booth behind me. Just knowing how close he was sent goosebumps throughout my body making the hairs on neck stand up.