varchie oneshots

meeting

Veronica POV

I would've complained to Mom about her sending me to Pop's to get her order, but I was hungry too. So I swallowed whatever spoiled-princess-type things I was about to rant and got in the car. When we pulled up in front of the shop, I forced myself not to wrinkle my nose at its shabby exterior, the clouded plastic doors and the tacky neon-lit sign. I sighed inwardly. Riverdale was no New York, but it would have to do, after Daddy...after what Daddy...

I pushed through the double doors, working to look like the effortlessly cool-girl persona I embodied back home. But this time, she was different. Coming to Riverdale meant changing who I used to be in New York. I did things there. Things I'm too ashamed to even think about most days. I wasn't going to be the brutal, spiteful, manipulative bitch anymore.

But if there was one thing that wasn't going to change, was fitting in at Riverdale High. Maybe there was someone here who could show me around? It's not like there are better things to do here. I pushed my hood off my head and surveyed my surroundings. 

And there he was. The most earnest, passionate brown eyes, talking, laughing to a blond ponytail over milkshakes.

Time spiraled into a nothing. The two felt like their eyes were piercing into one another. There was no more Pop's Chock'Lit Shoppe, no more flickering lights, no more classic-diner booths, no more blond ponytail.

The girl with raven hair. The boy with red hair. 

And the feeling that their lives were about to change forever.

Who was he? I didn't know him. He was just a brown-eyed ginger boy. And yet somehow I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. I sensed he couldn't either.

Well, Veronica Lodge may have lost her luxurious lifestyle, her everyday shopping sprees, but if there's one thing she could always do no matter what, was making a good entrance. 

I allowed him a knowing, flirtatious smile as I walked along the tiles that separated the two rows of booths. When I saw that the boy was still staring at me, almost in awe, I felt a tiny leap in my heart, which was ridiculous. Right?

I spotted the guy who must run the diner and widened my smile at him. "I called in an order? For Lodge?" "Burgers, yeah. Almost ready, but you gotta wait." 

Oh. A little uncomfortable, I turned to the ginger and the blond girl sitting at the booth. They seemed nice enough. Maybe I should try making conversation? 

"Hi!" Was that my voice? When did I start talking so high?

"Hey." The boy smiled back at me.  And we were still looking at each other.

He let out a breath that he seemed to be holding in. I forced myself to catch my breath too and moved towards them.

"How are the onion rings here?" "So good."

Well, that did it. "Can we have some onion rings too, please?" I called out to the owner. "Thanks." My attention shifted back to the red-haired boy and the blond girl, who I must say wasn't acting really friendly. She didn't even say hi. Should I introduce myself? "My mom and I just moved here."

"From where?" The boy asked. There was a kind of eagerness in his eyes. Cute. 

"New York."

"Wow." He breathed out. The girl opposite him just nodded and lowered her eyes. Why did I get the feeling she wanted me to leave? Did I interrupt something important? Ugh, this was getting awkward. "Um, you guys go to Riverdale?"

"Yeah, yeah we do." 

"Yes. We're best friends, we go together." That was the first thing the girl said, almost like she was trying to make a point. I was definitely getting an odd vibe from her. Great. Even in a brand new place, people just didn't like me.

"Me too! I'm filled with dread." I half-joked. "Why is that?" The boy asked, rewarding me with a puppy-dog grin. 

I tried to explain. "Are you familiar with the works of Truman Capote?" He nodded. "I'm Breakfast at Tiffany's, but this place is strictly In Cold Blood." I laughed, and so did he, although I got the feeling he didn't fully understand what I was talking about. The girl side-eyed me, and I suddenly felt the need to introduce myself. I stuck out my hand. "Veronica Lodge."

"Archie Andrews." He smiled.

Archie Andrews. Things are about to be epic. Wild, tragic, messy, completely insane, but epic in every sense of the word.

The girl opposite him gave him a look. "This is Betty Cooper." Betty. The sweet, sweet girl-next-door. And finally, she smiled at me. 

Hold on. "Are you—"

"—supposed to give you your tour tomorrow?" The girl finished. "Yes, I'm your peer mentor."

"Do you wanna join us? Hey, maybe we can unfill you with dread." His tone was casual, but Archie's eyes were filled with so much hope, so much good.

Goodness. I longed to have it back most days.

Still, I got the impression I wasn't welcome, at least by Betty, so I declined. "My mom's waiting for me." I smiled coolly, giving nothing away. "But...to be continued."

As I walked to the counter to collect my order, I could still feel Archie's eyes lingering on me. I went outside to wait for the car. Standing there, what did I think about?

All I could think about was how this story might not have a happy ending.