IMAGINES ▹ ROSS BUTLER

↳ the girl he once knew

( THE GIRL HE ONCE KNEW ) 
by laceylahey

4 years.

It's been 4 years since you were last seen in Riverdale. You completely went off the grid; no posts on social media, no texts or calls, not even a letter. You just completely disappeared.

For 2 years, you were always the topic of discussion. "Have you heard from Y/N?" "I heard that she died." "She probably ran away." "I heard that she was murdered."

You later faded away, no one really thought of you anymore - except for one person.

Reggie Mantle.

In middle school, you guys were, what people called, frenemies. You guys never really liked each other, but you were always there for one another. When you left in the middle of 6th grade, Reggie was completely heartbroken and alone. He had no one to tease, no one to make fun of, no one to make him laugh - he still finds himself thinking about you in the middle of class sometimes.

But now, here you are, back in the town that you never thought that you would ever step foot in again. Looking around your neighborhood, you sighed as you place your hand on your arm, rubbing over your tattoos slightly.

Despite being 16, you had tattoos. Hell, you had a full sleeve. Your dad continuously nagged at you for getting them, but the constant complaints never magically washed away the permanent ink that was settled on your skin. Along with your tattoo, you got a haircut. You were no longer the girl that everyone once knew.

"Welcome home." your dad says, standing next to you and looking at your new house, "Home sweet home."

You open the front door and the smell of wooden floors and fresh paint fill your nose. "The smell is pleasant." you state sarcastically, heading up the stairs and claiming one of the two bedrooms. "Can you pick up some Pop's? Left some money on the counter for you." your father says, walking into his own bedroom and closing the door, leaving no time for you to argue. You groan and grab a jacket from your bag, rushing down the stairs and shoving the $20 bill on the counter into your back pocket. You grab your skateboard that leaned against the wall near the door and start skating to the former diner that you knew all too well.

When you walked through the door, all eyes were on you. You were hardly recognizable, due to some changes in your appearance. "Y/N?" a familiar voice asks, causing you to face Pop's, smiling widely. "Hey Pops." you greet, giving him a warm hug.

"We haven't heard from you in so long, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Pop. Thanks."

"I take that you're ordering your original?"

You laugh and nod, taking a seat in a booth as Pops goes behind the counter. "You look awfully familiar." a voice says, catching your attention almost immediately, "I'm Betty, this is Veronica."

You smile weakly and nod, fumbling with your hands. "We saw you alone and wondered if you wanted to come sit with us." Veronica says, pointing to a table that held two boys that looked too familiar to you.

Then it clicked. The two were none other than Jughead Jones and Archie Andrews.

"Thanks, but I think I'll pass. I have to get home anyways." you deny politely, getting up from your seat and walking towards the counter. "Oh, come on! It'll be quick." Veronica suggests, holding onto your tatted arm, which resulted in you glaring at her questioningly until she took her hand off, "Sorry."