An Epiphany

Chapter 2

The bell's loud screeches echo through the hallway and over its screams I hear Betty calling me to follow her. My first day is nearly over and I don't think that it could have gone more successful then it already has been.

I pick my books up and hold onto them tightly as I make my way to the classroom's exit, where Betty shuffles her legs as she patiently waits for me to join her. She sends me a reassuring toothy grin before jerking her head towards the end of the hallway. 

"Let's go eat. I want to introduce you to your new friends and maybe tell you a little bit more about the people here and whatnot." 

"Thank you Betty. I really don't know what I was gonna do without you. Probably sulk around and maybe even hide in the toilets during the break." She laughs softly before shaking her head. 

"Don't worry about it Slush. We're friends now." 

That makes my guts twist pleasantly as I think of how horrendously lucky I am today. This new, fresh start is something I really didn't think would turn out to be something I actually like. 

I follow her into the cafeteria, which is a large, hall-like room with food being served on one side and long tables scattered all across it, for students to sit. Maybe it's the fact that I'm a little nervous and paranoid; or maybe it's because the school is very small and word travels fast- but it seems to me that many of the students turned and glanced at us. 

I take a deep breath and hold onto it; afraid that if I try and breath, I would gag or do something embarrassingly stupid. I avert my gaze to the floor and focus them on Betty's pink sneakers. The only time I look up is when I feel her grab my wrist and haul me downwards until I plummet against a bench which secured against my fall. 

She clears her throat and speaks. "Guys, I want you all to meet Saoirse. She just moved back from California and I figured she'd need our support to make herself feel more, at home. Remember when you were in her place V?" 

I look up to the pale, raven-haired girl sitting opposite me, who is staring at me with a strange sort of twinkle in her eyes; the corners of her lips curved into a sly smile. 

"Of course I remember! It was quite alright. I think if I'm able to survive the first day at a new school, anyone can." She extends her hand out at me and I shake it with a smile on my face. 

"Veronica, it's nice to meet you." 

"Likewise," I state, pulling my hand away before placing it on my lap. Betty grins at both of us before turning to stare at the boy opposite her- who has not stopped making eye contact with me. He's got a dark shade of ginger hair, dark eyes and furrowed brows. I bite the inside of my cheek nervously and extend my hand out once more. He squeezes it tightly in return before slightly smirking and bobbing his head. 

"Archibald Andrews. But people call me Archie." I open my mouth but no words come out. He's really cute, but I am probably making a fool out of myself. Betty clears her throat before revealing the other two people sitting on our table. 

"This is Kevin..." The goofy-looking boy raises an eyebrow before smiling and pulling a strand of my hair. "Girl, your hair is the blackest of the blackest shades I've ever seen! What hair dye do you use?" 

I shake my head, my lips tucking into a small smirk. "It's all natural." Veronica nods approvingly and Kevin stares at me in awe before sitting back down and continuing his journey through his food. 

"I absolutely love it," he mumbles and I wholeheartedly thank him, warmly. 

The last person that got introduced to me is Jughead, who goes by Juggie. He's also got black hair hidden under a beanie and a very pale complexion. He sits closely beside Betty, his hand pressed up against her thigh. They look cute together and they all seem really happy to meet me- which is a big plus.